Somatic GATA4 mutation contributes to tetralogy of Fallot.

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is the most prevalent cyanotic congenital heart pathology and causes infant morbidity and mortality worldwide. GATA-binding protein 4 (GATA4) serves as a pivotal transcriptional factor for embryonic cardiogenesis and germline GATA4 mutations are causally linked to TOF. However, the effects of somatic GATA4 mutations on the pathogenesis of TOF remain to be ascertained. In the present study, sequencing assay of GATA4 was performed utilizing genomic DNA derived from resected heart tissue specimens as well as matched peripheral blood specimens of 62 patients with non-familial TOF who underwent surgical treatment for TOF. Sequencing of GATA4 was also performed using the heart tissue specimens as well as matched peripheral venous blood samples of 68 sporadic cases who underwent heart valve displacement because of rheumatic heart disorder and the peripheral venous whole blood samples of 216 healthy subjects. The function of the mutant was explored by dual-luciferase activity analysis. Consequently, a new GATA4 mutation, NM_002052.5:c.708T>G;p.(Tyr236*), was found in the heart tissue of one patient with TOF. No mutation was detected in the heart tissue of the 68 cases suffering from rheumatic heart disorder or in the venous blood samples of all 346 individuals. GATA4 mutant failed to transactivate its target gene, myosin heavy chain 6. Additionally, this mutation nullified the synergistic transactivation between GATA4 and T-box transcription factor 5 or NK2 homeobox 5, two genes causative for TOF. Somatic GATA4 mutation predisposes TOF, highlighting the significant contribution of somatic variations to the molecular pathogenesis underpinning TOF.

Inhibition of gasdermin D palmitoylation by disulfiram is crucial for the treatment of myocardial infarction.

To investigate the role of S-palmitoylation in pyroptosis following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Myocardial ischemic injury is mainly related to the death of terminally differentiated cardiomyocytes. Pyroptosis is a new form of programmed cell death and recently is identified a potential mechanism of cardiomyocyte loss. However, the role of S-palmitoylation in pyroptosis following MI remains elusive. AMI was mimicked by permanent left anterior descending artery ligation. The palmitoylated proteins labeled by Click-iT palmitic acid were precipitated using streptavidin magnetic bead conjugate. The short-term palmitic acid dietary intake by modified western diet with palm oil for 7 days is compared with modified western diet with olive oil. Palmitoylation is increased in myocardial infarction and anoxic cardiomyocytes. Pyroptosis, but not apoptosis and necrosis, is more relevant with palmitoylation in the process of myocardial ischemia injury. The gasdermin D (GSDMD) Cys192 palmitoylation promotes its cytomembrane localization by ZDHHC14. GSDMD Cys192 palmitoylation aggravates in vitro cardiomyocyte pyroptosis. The short-term palmitic acid dietary intake or ML348 deteriorates myocardial pyroptosis, infarct size and cardiac function in AMI mice by GSDMD palmitoylation. Disulfiram antagonizes Cys192 palmitoylation of GSDMD-N-terminal and reduces myocardial pyroptosis and injury in AMI mice. We identifies ZHDDC14 induced palmitoylation as a crucial node for modulating GSDMD-N-terminal cytomembrane localization and establishes Disulfiram targeting GSDMD Cys192 palmitoylation as a potential clinical intervention for myocardial pyroptosis.

Methods for RPE Sheet Construction Using iPS-CM in Conjunction with Natural Scaffold of Corneal Lenticule Derived from SMILE.

In vitro generation of a functional retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) monolayer sheet is useful and promising for RPE cell therapy. Here, we outline a method to construct engineered RPE sheets treated by induced pluripotent stem cell-conditioned medium (iPS-CM) in conjunction with femtosecond laser intrastromal lenticule (FLI-lenticule) scaffold to aid in enhanced RPE characteristics and cilium assembly. Such a strategy to construct RPE sheets is a promising avenue for developing RPE cell therapy, disease models, and drug screening tools.

One-stop assembly of adherent 3D retinal organoids from hiPSCs based on 3D-printed derived PDMS microwell platform.

The three-dimensional (3D) retinal organoids (ROs) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), mimicking the growth and development of the human retina, is a promising model for investigating inherited retinal diseasesin vitro. However, the efficient generation of homogenous ROs remains a challenge. Here we introduce a novel polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microwell platform containing 62 V-bottom micro-cavities for the ROs differentiation from hiPSCs. The uniform adherent 3D ROs could spontaneously form using neural retina (NR) induction. Our results showed that the complex of NR (expressing VSX2), ciliary margin (CM) (expressing RDH10), and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) (expressing ZO-1, MITF, and RPE65) developed in the PDMS microwell after the differentiation. It is important to note that ROs in PDMS microwell platforms not only enable one-stop assembly but also maintain homogeneity and mature differentiation over a period of more than 25 weeks without the use of BMP4 and Matrigel. Retinal ganglion cells (expressing BRN3a), amacrine cells (expressing AP2a), horizontal cells (expressing PROX1 and AP2α), photoreceptor cells for cone (expressing S-opsin and L/M-opsin) and rod (expressing Rod opsin), bipolar cells (expressing VSX2 and PKCα), and Müller glial cells (expressing GS and Sox9) gradually emerged. Furthermore, we replaced fetal bovine serum with human platelet lysate and established a xeno-free culture workflow that facilitates clinical application. Thus, our PDMS microwell platform for one-stop assembly and long-term culture of ROs using a xeno-free workflow is favorable for retinal disease modeling, drug screening, and manufacturing ROs for clinical translation.

Carbodiimide crosslinked decellularized lenticules as a drug carrier for sustained antibacterial eye treatments.

In this study, the drug-loading and antibacterial activity of carbodiimide/N-hydroxysuccinimide (EDC/NHS) crosslinked decellularized lenticules (CDLs) were evaluated. Small incision lenticule extraction derived lenticules were decellularized and modified with crosslinking concentrations of 0.00 (E/L00, non-crosslinked), 0.01 (E/L01), 0.05 (E/L05) and 0.25 mmol (E/L25) EDC per mg lenticules at 5:1 EDC/NHS ratios with non-decellularized non-crosslinked lenticules (NDLs) as controls. NDLs and EDC/NHS CDLs had similar water contents. The light transmittance percentages (400-800 nm) were 91.55 ± 1.16%, 88.68 ± 1.19%, 80.86 ± 1.94%, 85.12 ± 2.42% and 85.62 ± 2.84% for NDLs, E/L00, E/L01, E/L05 and E/L25, respectively (P< 0.01). The EDC/NHS CDLs (diameter: 6.36 ± 0.18 mm; central thickness: 117.31 ± 3.46 µm) were soaked in 3% (wt./vol.) levofloxacin (LEV) solution for 3 h. The drug release concentrations of LEV-impregnated EDC/NHS CDLs were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Zone inhibition (ZOI) againstStaphylococcus aureusof E/L01, E/L05 and E/L25 were superior to E/L00 CDLs (P< 0.01) and among the different crosslinked groups, E/L05 lenticules produced the largest ZOIs and their drug concentration release over 21 d was the highest. EDC/NHS crosslinking can improve the drug-loading effect and antibacterial activity of decellularized lenticules. LEV-impregnated EDC/NHS CDLs are promising drug delivery carriers.

VEZF1 loss-of-function mutation underlying familial dilated cardiomyopathy.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), characteristic of left ventricular or biventricular dilation with systolic dysfunction, is the most common form of cardiomyopathy, and a leading cause of heart failure and sudden cardiac death. Aggregating evidence highlights the underlying genetic basis of DCM, and mutations in over 100 genes have been causally linked to DCM. Nevertheless, due to pronounced genetic heterogeneity, the genetic defects underpinning DCM in most cases remain obscure. Hence, this study was sought to identify novel genetic determinants of DCM. In this investigation, whole-exome sequencing and bioinformatics analyses were conducted in a family suffering from DCM, and a novel heterozygous mutation in the VEZF1 gene (coding for a zinc finger-containing transcription factor critical for cardiovascular development and structural remodeling), NM_007146.3: c.490A > T; p.(Lys164*), was identified. The nonsense mutation was validated by Sanger sequencing and segregated with autosome-dominant DCM in the family with complete penetrance. The mutation was neither detected in another cohort of 200 unrelated DCM patients nor observed in 400 unrelated healthy individuals nor retrieved in the Single Nucleotide Polymorphism database, the Human Gene Mutation Database and the Genome Aggregation Database. Biological analyses by utilizing a dual-luciferase reporter assay system revealed that the mutant VEZF1 protein failed to transactivate the promoters of MYH7 and ET1, two genes that have been associated with DCM. The findings indicate VEZF1 as a new gene responsible for DCM, which provides novel insight into the molecular pathogenesis of DCM, implying potential implications for personalized precisive medical management of the patients affected with DCM.

Identification of BMP10 as a Novel Gene Contributing to Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), characterized by left ventricular or biventricular enlargement with systolic dysfunction, is the most common type of cardiac muscle disease. It is a major cause of congestive heart failure and the most frequent indication for heart transplantation. Aggregating evidence has convincingly demonstrated that DCM has an underlying genetic basis, though the genetic defects responsible for DCM in a larger proportion of cases remain elusive, motivating the ongoing research for new DCM-causative genes. In the current investigation, a multigenerational family affected with autosomal-dominant DCM was recruited from the Chinese Han population. By whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing analyses of the DNAs from the family members, a new BMP10 variation, NM_014482.3:c.166C > T;p.(Gln56*), was discovered and verified to be in co-segregation with the DCM phenotype in the entire family. The heterozygous BMP10 variant was not detected in 268 healthy volunteers enrolled as control subjects. The functional measurement via dual-luciferase reporter assay revealed that Gln56*-mutant BMP10 lost the ability to transactivate its target genes NKX2.5 and TBX20, two genes that had been causally linked to DCM. The findings strongly indicate BMP10 as a new gene contributing to DCM in humans and support BMP10 haploinsufficiency as an alternative pathogenic mechanism underpinning DCM, implying potential implications for the early genetic diagnosis and precision prophylaxis of DCM.

Generation of a gene-corrected human iPSC line (CSUASOi004-A-1) from a retinitis pigmentosa patient with heterozygous c.2699 G>A mutation in the PRPF6 gene.

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is one of the most common inherited retinal diseases characterized by nyctalopia, progressive vision loss and visual field contraction. we previously generated an induced pluripotent stem cell line (CSUASOi004-A) from a RP patient with heterozygous PRPF6 c.2699 G>A (p.R900H) mutation. Here we corrected the PRPF6 c.2699 G>A mutation genetically using CRISPR/Cas9 technology to generate an isogenic control (CSUASOi004-A-1), which can provide a valuable resource in the research of the disease.

Pathways from self-disclosure to medical coping strategy among adolescents with moderate and major depression during the COVID-19 pandemic: A mediation of self-efficacy.

Background: The prevalence of adolescent depression in China during the COVID-19 pandemic is increasing. Self-disclosing depressive emotions could help release stress. Self-disclosure, which is a prerequisite for self-efficacy, can directly contribute to people's psychological health, and depression and the choice of coping strategy are determined by the level of self-efficacy perceived. Purpose: We aimed to discuss the relationship between self-efficacy, self-disclosure, and medical coping strategy. Further, we explore the mediation effect of self-efficacy on the influence of self-disclosure on medical coping strategies in adolescents with depression. Methods: A total of 585 patients aged 11-24 years with moderate and major depression were recruited. All the assessments were completed on the second day after admission, including the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE), Distress Disclosure Index (DDI), and Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire (MCMQ). Pearson correlation was performed to explore the relationships of these variables. The bootstrap analysis was used to conduct to assess the mediation effects. Results: Both direct and indirect effects of self-disclosure on medical coping strategy were found. As predicted, self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between self-disclosure and medical coping strategy (b = 0.0385, 95% CI: 0.0244-0.0538 for Confrontation; b = -0.0466, 95%CI: -0.0651 to -0.0296 for Resignation), respectively. The effect size for Confrontation and Resignation was 0.2659 and 0.2485, respectively. Conclusion: Self-efficacy played a partial mediating role in the effect of self-disclosure on medical coping strategies for adolescent depression during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the use of a positive self-disclosure mechanism may be anticipated to promote improved self-efficacy and the use of active coping strategies.

Aberrant Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells Derived from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells of a Retinitis Pigmentosa Patient with the PRPF6 Mutation.

Pre-mRNA processing factors (PRPFs) are vital components of the spliceosome and are involved in the physiological process necessary for pre-mRNA splicing to mature mRNA. As an important member, PRPF6 mutation resulting in autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP) is not common. Recently, we reported the establishment of an induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs; CSUASOi004-A) model by reprogramming the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a PRPF6-related adRP patient, which could recapitulate a consistent disease-specific genotype. In this study, a disease model of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells was generated from the iPSCs of this patient to further investigate the underlying molecular and pathological mechanisms. The results showed the irregular morphology, disorganized apical microvilli and reduced expressions of RPE-specific genes in the patient's iPSC-derived RPE cells. In addition, RPE cells carrying the PRPF6 mutation displayed a decrease in the phagocytosis of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled photoreceptor outer segments and exhibited impaired cell polarity and barrier function. This study will benefit the understanding of PRPF6-related RPE cells and future cell therapy.

Establishment of a human induced pluripotent stem cell line (CSUASOi010-A) by reprogramming peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a type 2 diabetic mellitus patient.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major caused by insulin resistance with a relative deficiency in insulin secretion. Statistically, T2DM accounts for 90% of diabetes cases worldwide. We report the patient-specific human induced pluripotent stem cell line (iPSC) CSUASOi010-A by using Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of a 62-year-old female from Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Patient blood-derived cells were reprogrammed using the Sendai virus.

LM22B-10 promotes corneal nerve regeneration through in vitro 3D co-culture model and in vivo corneal injury model.

Corneal nerve wounding often causes abnormalities in the cornea and even blindness in severe cases. In this study, we construct a dorsal root ganglion-corneal stromal cell (DRG-CSC, DS) co-culture 3D model to explore the mechanism of corneal nerve regeneration. Firstly, this model consists of DRG collagen grafts sandwiched by orthogonally stacked and orderly arranged CSC-laden plastic compressed collagen. Nerve bundles extend into the entire corneal stroma within 14 days, and they also have orthogonal patterns. This nerve prevents CSCs from apoptosis in the serum withdrawal medium. The conditioned medium (CM) for CSCs in collagen scaffolds contains NT-3, IL-6, and other factors. Among them, NT-3 notably promotes the activation of ERK-CREB in the DRG, leading to the growth of nerve bundles, and IL-6 induces the upregulation of anti-apoptotic genes. Then, LM22B-10, an activator of the NT-3 receptor TrkB/TrkC, can also activate ERK-CREB to enhance nerve growth. After administering LM22B-10 eye drops to regular and diabetic mice with corneal wounding, LM22B-10 significantly improves the healing speed of the corneal epithelium, corneal sensitivity, and corneal nerve density. Overall, the DS co-culture model provides a promising platform and tools for the exploration of corneal physiological and pathological mechanisms, as well as the verification of drug effects in vitro. Meanwhile, we confirm that LM22B-10, as a non-peptide small molecule, has future potential in nerve wound repair. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The cornea accounts for most of the refractive power of the eye. Corneal nerves play an important role in maintaining corneal homeostasis. Once the corneal nerves are damaged, the corneal epithelium and stroma develop lesions. However, the mechanism of the interaction between corneal nerves and corneal cells is still not fully understood. Here, we construct a corneal stroma-nerve co-culture in vitro model and reveal that NT-3 expressed by stromal cells promotes nerve growth by activating the ERK-CREB pathway in nerves. LM22B-10, an activator of NT-3 receptors, can also induce nerve growth in vitro. Moreover, it is used as eye drops to enhance corneal epithelial wound healing, corneal nerve sensitivity and density of nerve plexus in corneal nerve wounding model in vivo.

SOX7 loss-of-function variation as a cause of familial congenital heart disease.

INTRODUCTION: As the most frequent type of birth defect in humans, congenital heart disease (CHD) leads to a large amount of morbidity and mortality as well as a tremendous socioeconomic burden. Accumulating studies have convincingly substantiated the pivotal roles of genetic defects in the occurrence of familial CHD, and deleterious variations in a great number of genes have been reported to cause various types of CHD. However, owing to pronounced genetic heterogeneity, the hereditary components underpinning CHD remain obscure in most cases. This investigation aimed to identify novel genetic determinants underlying CHD. METHODS AND RESULTS: A four-generation pedigree with high incidence of autosomal-dominant CHD was enrolled from the Chinese Han race population. Using whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing assays of the family members available, a novel SOX7 variation in heterozygous status, NM_031439.4: c.310C>T; p.(Gln104*), was discovered to be in co-segregation with the CHD phenotype in the whole family. The truncating variant was absent in 500 unrelated healthy subjects utilized as control individuals. Functional measurements by dual-luciferase reporter analysis revealed that Gln104*-mutant SOX7 failed to transactivate its two important target genes, GATA4 and BMP2, which are both responsible for CHD. In addition, the nonsense variation invalidated the cooperative transactivation between SOX7 and NKX2.5, which is another recognized CHD-causative gene. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates for the first time that genetically defective SOX7 predisposes to CHD, which sheds light on the novel molecular mechanism underpinning CHD, and implies significance for precise prevention and personalized treatment in a subset of CHD patients.

Association Between METS-IR and Prehypertension or Hypertension Among Normoglycemia Subjects in Japan: A Retrospective Study.

Aim: Our study aimed to investigate the association between the novel non-insulin-based metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR) index and pre-hypertension (HTN) or HTN in normoglycemia Japanese participants. Methods: The NAGALA medical examination program at Murakami Memorial Hospital in Gifu, Japan was found in 1994. 15,453 participants enrolled in this program from 2004 to 2015 was included in this retrospective study to explore the association between the METS-IR index and pre-HTN or HTN. Covariates included serum biomarkers and clinicodemographic characteristics. Logistic regression was applied to explore the association between METS-IR level and pre-HTN or HTN. Results: This study includes a total of 15453 participants. The prevalence rates of pre-HTN and HTN were 28.55% (4412/15453) and 6.23% (962/15453), respectively. Adjusted for confounding factors in the multivariable logistic regression analysis models, when METS-IR was used as a categorical variable, high METS-IR was significantly associated with both pre-HTN (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.95, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.61-2.36) and HTN (adjusted OR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.44-3.11). When METS-IR was used as a continuous variable, each 1 unit increase in METS-IR was associated with a 7% increase in the prevalence of pre-HTN (adjusted OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.06-1.08) and with a 13% increase in the prevalence of HTN (adjusted OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.10-1.16). Stratified analyses indicated a positive correlation between METS-IR and pre-HTN or HTN in normoglycemia subjects with different characteristics. Conclusions: METS-IR levels are significantly associated with pre-HTN or HTN in normoglycemia individuals in Gifu, Japan. METS-IR may be used as a monitoring indicator for the development of HTN primary prevention and management strategies in the future, but it still needs more research to confirm.

MAPK-pathway inhibition mediates inflammatory reprogramming and sensitizes tumors to targeted activation of innate immunity sensor RIG-I.

Kinase inhibitors suppress the growth of oncogene driven cancer but also enforce the selection of treatment resistant cells that are thought to promote tumor relapse in patients. Here, we report transcriptomic and functional genomics analyses of cells and tumors within their microenvironment across different genotypes that persist during kinase inhibitor treatment. We uncover a conserved, MAPK/IRF1-mediated inflammatory response in tumors that undergo stemness- and senescence-associated reprogramming. In these tumor cells, activation of the innate immunity sensor RIG-I via its agonist IVT4, triggers an interferon and a pro-apoptotic response that synergize with concomitant kinase inhibition. In humanized lung cancer xenografts and a syngeneic Egfr-driven lung cancer model these effects translate into reduction of exhausted CD8+ T cells and robust tumor shrinkage. Overall, the mechanistic understanding of MAPK/IRF1-mediated intratumoral reprogramming may ultimately prolong the efficacy of targeted drugs in genetically defined cancer patients.

Complex renal cysts combined with hemorrhage during crizotinib treatment for ALK-rearranged lung adenocarcinoma.

The oral small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), crizotinib has been approved as a first-generation anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor in treatment of advanced ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Recently, development of complex renal cysts has been reported with crizotinib usage, highlighting the importance of accurate differentiation between complex renal cysts and new metastasis in NSCLC. Here we describe a case study with confirmed EGFR wild-type and ALK-rearranged lung adenocarcinoma who developed complex renal cysts combined with hemorrhage during crizotinib treatment, with no abnormal clinical symptoms or kidney functions observed. Interestingly, without crizotinib treatment termination or reduction, the complex hemorrhagic renal cysts regressed with self-limiting and healing. The combined usage of ultrasound, CT and MRI techniques in the presented case allowed proper monitoring of the internal changes within complex renal cysts. The patient provided written informed consent authorizing publication of clinical case. Thus, better understanding of the imaging features of crizotinib-related renal cysts combined with hemorrhage would avoid misdiagnoses as a new metastatic renal mass or the aggravation of the primary disease, therefore avoiding further invasive investigation.

Detection and functional characterization of a novel MEF2A variation responsible for familial dilated cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVES: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) represents the most frequent form of cardiomyopathy, leading to heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias and death. Accumulating evidence convincingly demonstrates the crucial role of genetic defects in the pathogenesis of DCM, and over 100 culprit genes have been implicated with DCM. However, DCM is of substantial genetic heterogeneity, and the genetic determinants underpinning DCM remain largely elusive. METHODS: Whole-exome sequencing and bioinformatical analyses were implemented in a consanguineous Chinese family with DCM. A total of 380 clinically annotated control individuals and 166 more DCM index cases then underwent Sanger sequencing analysis for the identified genetic variation. The functional characteristics of the variant were delineated by utilizing a dual-luciferase assay system. RESULTS: A heterozygous variation in the MEF2A gene (encoding myocyte enhancer factor 2A, a transcription factor pivotal for embryonic cardiogenesis and postnatal cardiac adaptation), NM_001365204.1: c.718G>T; p. (Gly240*), was identified, and verified by Sanger sequencing to segregate with autosome-dominant DCM in the family with complete penetrance. The nonsense variation was neither detected in 760 control chromosomes nor found in 166 more DCM probands. Functional analyses revealed that the variant lost transactivation on the validated target genes MYH6 and FHL2, both causally linked to DCM. Furthermore, the variation nullified the synergistic activation between MEF2A and GATA4, another key transcription factor involved in DCM. CONCLUSIONS: The findings firstly indicate that MEF2A loss-of-function variation predisposes to DCM in humans, providing novel insight into the molecular mechanisms of DCM and suggesting potential implications for genetic testing and prognostic evaluation of DCM patients.

Effect of porcine corneal stromal extract on keratocytes from SMILE-derived lenticules.

Propagating large amounts of human corneal stromal cells (hCSCs) in vitro while maintaining the physiological quality of their phenotypes is necessary for their application in cell therapy. Here, a novel medium to propagate hCSCs obtained from small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE)-derived lenticules was investigated and the feasibility of intrastromal injection of these hCSCs was assessed. Primary hCSCs were cultured in porcine corneal stroma extract (pCSE) with RIFA medium including ROCK inhibitor Y27632, insulin-transferrin-selenium, fibroblast growth factor 2, L-ascorbate 2-phosphate and 0.5% FBS (RIFA medium + pCSE). Protein profiling of the pCSE was identified using nanoscale liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (nano LC-MS/MS). After subculturing in RIFA medium + pCSE or 10% FBS normal medium (NM), hCSCs at P4 were transplanted into mouse corneal stroma. Compared with NM, ALDH3A1, keratocan and lumican were significantly more expressed in the RIFA medium + pCSE. ALDH3A1 was also more expressed in the RIFA medium + pCSE than in the RIFA medium. Fibronectin and α-SMA were less expressed in the RIFA medium + pCSE than in the NM. Using Metascape analysis, the pCSE with its anti-fibrosis, pro-proliferation and anti-apoptosis activities, was beneficial for hCSC cultivation. The intrastromally implanted hCSCs in the RIFA medium + pCSE had positive CD34 expression but negative CD45 expression 35 days after injection. We provide a valuable new medium that is advantageous for the proliferation of hCSCs with the properties of physiological keratocytes. Intrastromal injection of hCSCs in RIFA medium + pCSE has the potential for clinical cell therapy.

Risk factors for right ventricular dysfunction in patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis.

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare disease characterized by diffuse cystic lesions of the lung. The present study was designed to evaluate the right ventricular (RV) function in LAM patients via single-beat real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE) and to investigate the factors affecting RV function in LAM patients. According to tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRV), forty-five female LAM patients [(44.07 ± 10.22) years old] were divided into TRV ≤ 2.8 m/s group (n = 29) and TRV > 2.8 m/s group (n = 16). Relative echocardiography parameters were assessed by conventional transthoracic echocardiography, Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) and RT-3DE, respectively. Pulmonary function tests and the six-minute walk tests (SMWT) were also performed for LAM patients. We found that most of RV functional parameters in LAM patients were worse than that in control patients, although left ventricular dysfunction was not significantly observed. Correlation analysis showed that 3D echocardiographic RV ejection fraction (RVEF) was negatively correlated with pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), TRV, and the decrease of oxygen saturation (SpO2) post SMWT, and positively correlated with Forced expiratory volume in the first second/forced vital capacity, carbon monoxide diffusion predicted value, SMWT distance, and resting SpO2 in LAM patients. Multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis showed that PVR and SpO2 before SMWT were independent influence factors of RVEF in LAM patients. In this study, we found that RV dysfunction was presented in LAM patients, although left ventricular dysfunction was not significantly obvious. The main influence factors of RVEF were PVR and hypoxia. RT-3DE is a low-cost and noninvasive way to evaluate RV function in LAM patients.

Establishment of non-integrate induced pluripotent stem cell line CSUASOi006-A, from urine-derived cells of a PRPF8-related dominant retinitis pigmentosa patient.

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of inherited retinal disorders characterized by the progressive photoreceptors and pigment epithelial cells dysfunction. Here, we report the human induced pluripotent stem cell line (iPSC) CSUASOi006-A, generated from urine-derived cells (UCs) of a 17-year-old male patient with clinically diagnosed RP carrying point mutation (c.C5792T) in the pre-mRNA processing factor 8 gene (PRPF8). The newly derived CSUASOi006-A cell line has the patient's same mutation (c.C5792T) and could provide useful resources for studying the pathogenic mechanism of PRPF8-related RP.