Regulation of secondary metabolites in the endophytic fungus Penicillium sp. KMU18029 by the chemical epigenetic modifier 5-azacitidine.

The chemical epigenetic modifier 5-azacitidine (5-Aza C), a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, was used to manipulate the endophytic fungus Penicillium sp. KMU18029. From its rice fermentation extract, a new polyketone compound (3S,4R)-3,4,8-trihydroxy-6-methyl-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-1(2H)-one (1), along with 13 known compounds, 3,4,8-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-1(2H)-one (2), decaturin B (3), 15-hydroxydecaturin A (4), oxalicine A (5), pileotin A (6), pyrandecarurin A (7), decaturenol A (8), decaturenoid (9), penisarins A (10), oxaline (11), (4E,8E)-N-D-2'-hydroxyocta-decanoyl-1-O-ß-D-glycopy-ranosyl-9-methyl-4,8-sphingadienine (12), ergosterol (13) and stigma-5-en-3-O-ß-glucoside (14), were separated. Among the known compounds, 2, 7, 12 and 14 were not found in our previous research on this strain. The structure of the new compound was identified by spectroscopic techniques such as HR-ESIMS, 1D NMR, 2D NMR and CD. Furthermore, all the isolated compounds were tested for their antimicrobial activities, and only compounds 1, 2 and 11 showed weak activities against S. aureus, with MICs of 128 µg/mL.

BRISC is required for optimal activation of NF-κB in Kupffer cells induced by LPS and contributes to acute liver injury.

BRISC (BRCC3 isopeptidase complex) is a deubiquitinating enzyme that has been linked with inflammatory processes, but its role in liver diseases and the underlying mechanism are unknown. Here, we investigated the pathophysiological role of BRISC in acute liver failure using a mice model induced by D-galactosamine (D-GalN) plus lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We found that the expression of BRISC components was dramatically increased in kupffer cells (KCs) upon LPS treatment in vitro or by the injection of LPS in D-GalN-sensitized mice. D-GalN plus LPS-induced liver damage and mortality in global BRISC-null mice were markedly attenuated, which was accompanied by impaired hepatocyte death and hepatic inflammation response. Constantly, treatment with thiolutin, a potent BRISC inhibitor, remarkably alleviated D-GalN/LPS-induced liver injury in mice. By using bone marrow-reconstituted chimeric mice and cell-specific BRISC-deficient mice, we demonstrated that KCs are the key effector cells responsible for protection against D-GalN/LPS-induced liver injury in BRISC-deficient mice. Mechanistically, we found that hepatic and circulating levels of TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1, and IL-1ß, as well as TNF-α- and MCP-1-producing KCs, in BRISC-deleted mice were dramatically decreased as early as 1 h after D-GalN/LPS challenge, which occurred prior to the elevation of the liver injury markers. Moreover, LPS-induced proinflammatory cytokines production in KCs was significantly diminished by BRISC deficiency in vitro, which was accompanied by potently attenuated NF-κB activation. Restoration of NF-κB activation by two small molecular activators of NF-κB p65 effectively reversed the suppression of cytokines production in ABRO1-deficient KCs by LPS. In conclusion, BRISC is required for optimal activation of NF-κB-mediated proinflammatory cytokines production in LPS-treated KCs and contributes to acute liver injury. This study opens the possibility to develop new strategies for the inhibition of KCs-driven inflammation in liver diseases.

VPS37C facilitates erythroid differentiation by promoting EKLF stability.

The process of erythroid differentiation is orchestrated at the molecular level by a complex network of transcription factors. Erythroid Krüppel-like factor (EKLF/KLF1) is a master erythroid gene regulator that directly regulates most aspects of terminal erythroid differentiation. However, the underlying regulatory mechanisms of EKLF protein stability are still largely unknown. In this study, we identified Vacuolar protein sorting 37 C (VPS37C), a core subunit of the Endosomal sorting complex required for transport-I (ESCRT-I) complex, as an essential regulator of EKLF stability. Our study showed that VPS37C interacts with EKLF and prevents K48-linked polyubiquitination of EKLF and proteasome-mediated EKLF degradation, thus enhancing EKLF protein stability and transcriptional activity. VPS37C overexpression in murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells promotes hexamethylene bisacetamide (HMBA)-induced erythroid differentiation manifested by up-regulating erythroid-specific EKLF target genes and increasing benzidine-positive cells. In contrast, VPS37C knockdown inhibits HMBA-induced MEL cell erythroid differentiation. Particularly, the restoration of EKLF expression in VPS37C-knockdown MEL cells reverses erythroid-specific gene expression and hemoglobin production. Collectively, our study demonstrated VPS37C is a novel regulator of EKLF ubiquitination and degradation, which plays a positive role in erythroid differentiation of MEL cells by enhancing EKLF protein stability.

Bioactive sorbicillinoids from a rhizospheric soil-derived Paecilomyces sp. KMU21009.

A new hybrid sorbicillinoid named paeciureallin (1) and a new monomeric sorbicillinoid named paecillyketide (2), along with six known analogues (3-8), were isolated from the rhizospheric soil-derived fungus Paecilomyces sp. KMU21009 associated with Delphinium yunnanense. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and comparison with literature values. Paeciureallin (1) is the first example of hybrid sorbicillinoids possessing a rare sorbicillinoid urea unit and containing a ß-D-ribofuranose functionality. In pharmacological studies, compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated for in vitro anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities. Paeciureallin (1) exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against SW480 and A549 cell lines, and the IC50 values were 32.0 ± 0.1 and 34.4 ± 2.0 µM, respectively.

[Determination of Dichloromethane in Blood with Headspace Gas Chromatography and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry].

Objective: To establish a method for qualitative determination of dichloromethane (DCM) in blood by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and quantitative determination of DCM in blood by headspace gas chromatography (HS-GC), and to provide reliable support for forensic examination and analysis of poisoning or deaths caused by DCM. Methods: 0.5 mL blood sample was collected, added into headspace vial with chloroform as the internal standard, and processed by heating at 65 °C and evacuation treatment. The intermediate gas in the headspace vial was analyzed by GC-MS for qualitative validation of the method and by HS-GC for quantitative validation of the method. The method was then applied in forensic case analysis. Results: Qualitative validation of the examination method by GC-MS found that the chromatographic peak and mass spectral characteristic ions were specific in samples added with DCM, and that no interference was observed in the blank negative samples. The limit of detection (LOD) was 5 µg/mL. Quantitative method validation by HS-GC found that the chromatographic peak of DCM was well separated from those of eight other volatile compounds, with the resolution>1.5 in all cases; the lower limit of quantification (LOQ) was 20 µg/mL and good linearity was shown within the range of 20 and 1000 µg/mL, R>0.999; the intra-day test precision and inter-day test precision were good (relative standard deviation, or RSD<15% for both) and test accuracy was high (relative error, or δ<15%). With the method established in the study, DCM was detected successfully in the blood of two fatal cases caused by DCM poisoning, with the blood concentration being 470 µg/mL and 915 µg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: This method is shown to be a rapid, stable and accurate approach to the qualitative and quantitative forensic and toxicological analysis of DCM in blood in DCM poisoning cases or deaths caused by DCM.

tBHQ attenuates podocyte injury in diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting NADPH oxidase-derived ROS generation via the Nrf2/HO-1 signalling pathway.

Aims: Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in podocyte injury in diabetic nephropathy (DN). tert-Butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) is an activator of Nrf2 that exerts protective effects in diabetic mice, but the underlying mechanism of tBHQ in the podocytes of DN is not fully understood. Materials and methods: A high glucose (HG)-induced HK2 cell model and streptozotocin-induced rat model of DN were established and treated with tBHQ or apocynin. The expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, NOX2 and NOX4 were determined by Western blot or immunohistochemical staining. The level of oxidative stress in podocytes or kidney tissues was assessed using DCFH-DA or dihydroethidium (DHE) staining. Cell injury was assessed by F-actin staining and flow cytometry analysis. Key findings: We showed that HG treatment increased the expressions of NOX2 and NOX4 and enhanced ROS production in podocytes. Inhibition of NADPH oxidase activity by apocynin dramatically attenuated HG-induced ROS production and further alleviated cell injury and apoptosis in podocytes. Moreover, we found that HG inhibited the Nrf2/HO-1 signalling pathway in podocytes; however, tBHQ treatment significantly activated the Nrf2 signalling pathway, inhibited NADPH oxidase activity, and attenuated ROS production and cell injury in HG-treated podocytes. Furthermore, we observed that tBHQ treatment partially attenuated renal injury, activated the Nrf2 signalling pathway, inhibited NADPH oxidase activity and reduced ROS generation in the kidneys of STZ-induced diabetic rats. Significance: These results suggest that tBHQ exerts a protective role in hyperglycaemia-induced podocyte injury, and that the potential protective mechanism of tBHQ involves inhibiting NADPH oxidase-derived ROS generation by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signalling pathway.

Hemgn Protects Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells Against Transplantation Stress Through Negatively Regulating IFN-γ Signaling.

Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) possess the remarkable ability to regenerate the whole blood system in response to ablated stress demands. Delineating the mechanisms that maintain HSPCs during regenerative stresses is increasingly important. Here, it is shown that Hemgn is significantly induced by hematopoietic stresses including irradiation and bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Hemgn deficiency does not disturb steady-state hematopoiesis in young mice. Hemgn-/- HSPCs display defective engraftment activity during BMT with reduced homing and survival and increased apoptosis. Transcriptome profiling analysis reveals that upregulated genes in transplanted Hemgn-/- HSPCs are enriched for gene sets related to interferon gamma (IFN-γ) signaling. Hemgn-/- HSPCs show enhanced responses to IFN-γ treatment and increased aging over time. Blocking IFN-γ signaling in irradiated recipients either pharmacologically or genetically rescues Hemgn-/- HSPCs engraftment defect. Mechanistical studies reveal that Hemgn deficiency sustain nuclear Stat1 tyrosine phosphorylation via suppressing T-cell protein tyrosine phosphatase TC45 activity. Spermidine, a selective activator of TC45, rescues exacerbated phenotype of HSPCs in IFN-γ-treated Hemgn-/- mice. Collectively, these results identify that Hemgn is a critical regulator for successful engraftment and reconstitution of HSPCs in mice through negatively regulating IFN-γ signaling. Targeted Hemgn may be used to improve conditioning regimens and engraftment during HSPCs transplantation.

Preclinical Pharmacokinetics, Tissue Distribution, and Primary Safety Evaluation of Indo5, a Novel Selective Inhibitor of c-Met and Trks.

The compound [3-(1H-benzimidazol-2-methylene)-5-(2-methylphenylaminosulfo)-2-indolone], known as Indo5, is a novel selective inhibitor of c-Met and Trks, and it is a promising anticancer candidate against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Assessing the pharmacokinetic properties, tissue distribution, and toxicity of Indo5 is critical for its medicinal evaluation. A series of sensitive and specific liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry methods were developed and validated to determine the concentration of Indo5 in rat plasma and tissue homogenates. These methods were then applied to investigate the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of Indo5 in rats. After intravenous injection of Indo5, the maximum concentration (Cmax) and the time at which Cmax was reached (Tmax) were 1,565.3 ± 286.2 ng/ml and 1 min, respectively. After oral administration, Cmax and Tmax were 54.7 ± 10.4 ng/ml and 2.0 ± 0.48 h, respectively. We calculated the absolute oral bioavailability of Indo5 in rats to be 1.59%. Following intravenous injection, the concentrations of Indo5 in various tissues showed the following order: liver > kidney ≈ heart > lung ≈ large intestine ≈ small intestine ≈ stomach > spleen > brain ≈ testes; hence, Indo5 distributed highest in the liver and could not cross the blood-brain or blood-testes barriers. Continuous injection of Indo5 for 21 days did not lead to liver injury, considering unchanged ALT and AST levels, normal histological architecture of the liver, and normal number and frequencies of immune cells in the liver, indicating a very low toxicity of Indo5 in vivo. Collectively, our findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the biological actions of Indo5 in vivo and further support its development as an antitumor treatment for HCC patients.

Pharmacological targeting of NLRP3 deubiquitination for treatment of NLRP3-associated inflammatory diseases.

Pharmacologically inhibiting nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat-containing (NLR) family, pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation results in potent therapeutic effects in a wide variety of preclinical inflammatory disease models. NLRP3 deubiquitination is essential for efficient NLRP3 inflammasome activity, but it remains unclear whether this process can be harnessed for therapeutic benefit. Here, we show that thiolutin (THL), an inhibitor of the JAB1/MPN/Mov34 (JAMM) domain-containing metalloprotease, blocks NLRP3 inflammasome activation by canonical, noncanonical, alternative, and transcription-independent pathways at nanomolar concentrations. In addition, THL potently inhibited the activation of multiple NLRP3 mutants linked with cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS). Treatment with THL alleviated NLRP3-related diseases in mouse models of lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis, monosodium urate-induced peritonitis, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, CAPS, and methionine-choline-deficient diet-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Mechanistic studies revealed that THL inhibits the BRCC3-containing isopeptidase complex (BRISC)-mediated NLRP3 deubiquitination and activation. In addition, we show that holomycin, a natural methyl derivative of THL, displays an even higher inhibitory activity against NLRP3 inflammasome than THL. Our study validates that posttranslational modification of NLRP3 can be pharmacologically targeted to prevent or treat NLRP3-associated inflammatory diseases. Future clinical development of derivatives of THL may provide new therapies for NLRP3-related diseases.

Toll-like receptor 5-mediated signaling enhances liver regeneration in mice.

BACKGROUND: Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5)-mediated pathways play critical roles in regulating the hepatic immune response and show hepatoprotective effects in mouse models of hepatic diseases. However, the role of TLR5 in experimental models of liver regeneration has not been reported. This study aimed to investigate the role of TLR5 in partial hepatectomy (PHx)-induced liver regeneration. METHODS: We performed 2/3 PHx in wild-type (WT) mice, TLR5 knockout mice, or TLR5 agonist CBLB502 treated mice, as a model of liver regeneration. Bacterial flagellin content was measured with ELISA, and hepatic TLR5 expression was determined with quantitative PCR analyses and flow cytometry. To study the effects of TLR5 on hepatocyte proliferation, we analyzed bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression with immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. The effects of TLR5 during the priming phase of liver regeneration were examined with quantitative PCR analyses of immediate early gene mRNA levels, and with Western blotting analysis of hepatic NF-κB and STAT3 activation. Cytokine and growth factor production after PHx were detected with real-time PCR and cytometric bead array (CBA) assays. Oil Red O staining and hepatic lipid concentrations were analyzed to examine the effect of TLR5 on hepatic lipid accumulation after PHx. RESULTS: The bacterial flagellin content in the serum and liver increased, and the hepatic TLR5 expression was significantly up-regulated in WT mice after PHx. TLR5-deficient mice exhibited diminished numbers of BrdU- and PCNA-positive cells, suppressed immediate early gene expression, and decreased cytokine and growth factor production. Moreover, PHx-induced hepatic NF-κB and STAT3 activation was inhibited in Tlr5-/- mice, as compared with WT mice. Consistently, the administration of CBLB502 significantly promoted PHx-mediated hepatocyte proliferation, which was correlated with enhanced production of proinflammatory cytokines and the recruitment of macrophages and neutrophils in the liver. Furthermore, Tlr5-/- mice displayed significantly lower hepatic lipid concentrations and smaller Oil Red O positive areas than those in control mice after PHx. CONCLUSION: We reveal that TLR5 activation contributes to the initial events of liver regeneration after PHx. Our findings demonstrate that TLR5 signaling positively regulates liver regeneration and suggest the potential of TLR5 agonist to promote liver regeneration.

ABRO1 stabilizes the deubiquitinase BRCC3 through inhibiting its degradation mediated by the E3 ubiquitin ligase WWP2.

BRCA1/BRCA2-containing complex subunit 3 (BRCC3) is a lysine 63-specific deubiquitinase involved in multiple biological processes, such as DNA repair and immune responses. However, the regulation mechanism for BRCC3 protein stability is still unknown. Here, we demonstrate that BRCC3 is mainly degraded through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. The HECT-type E3 ubiquitin ligase WWP2 modulates BRCC3 ubiquitination and degradation. ABRO1, a subunit of the BRCC36 isopeptidase complex (BRISC), competes with WWP2 to bind to BRCC3, thereby preventing WWP2-mediated BRCC3 ubiquitination and enhancing BRCC3 stability. Functionally, we show that lentivirus-mediated overexpression of WWP2 in murine macrophages inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation by decreasing BRCC3 protein level. This study provides the first insights into the regulation of BRCC3 stability and expands our knowledge about the physiological function of WWP2.

NLRP3 is dispensable for d-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide-induced acute liver failure.

The nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat-containing family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is involved in various acute and chronic liver diseases, however, it is not clear whether NLRP3 contributes to d-Galactosamine (D-GalN) plus lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute liver failure (ALF). This study aims to investigate the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in D-GalN/LPS-induced fatal hepatitis. We found that Nlrp3-/- and WT mice showed similar mortality against a lethal dose of D-GalN/LPS treatment. Serum ALT and AST levels, as well as liver necrosis area and hepatocyte apoptosis, were not significantly different between Nlrp3-/- and WT mice at 6 h after D-GalN/LPS injection. Moreover, the numbers of intrahepatic F4/80+ cells and Ly6G+ cells were comparable in two genotype mice following D-GalN/LPS treatment. Besides, Nlrp3-/- mice had reduced IL-1ß levels but similar TNF-α, IL-6, and MCP-1 levels compared with WT mice upon D-GalN/LPS administration. Our findings revealed that NLRP3 ablation does not protect mice from D-GalN/LPS-induced fatal hepatitis and has a marginal effect on intrahepatic inflammatory response upon D-GalN/LPS treatment. This suggests that NLRP3 inflammasome does not appear to be a major contributor to D-GalN/LPS-induced ALF.

GPS2 promotes erythroid differentiation by control of the stability of EKLF protein.

Erythropoiesis is a complex multistage process that involves differentiation of early erythroid progenitors to enucleated mature red blood cells, in which lineage-specific transcription factors play essential roles. Erythroid Krüppel-like factor (EKLF/KLF1) is a pleiotropic erythroid transcription factor that is required for the proper maturation of the erythroid cells, whose expression and activation are tightly controlled in a temporal and differentiation stage-specific manner. Here, we uncover a novel role of G-protein pathway suppressor 2 (GPS2), a subunit of the nuclear receptor corepressor/silencing mediator of retinoic acid and thyroid hormone receptor corepressor complex, in erythrocyte differentiation. Our study demonstrates that knockdown of GPS2 significantly suppresses erythroid differentiation of human CD34+ cells cultured in vitro and xenotransplanted in nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency/interleukin-2 receptor γ-chain null mice. Moreover, global deletion of GPS2 in mice causes impaired erythropoiesis in the fetal liver and leads to severe anemia. Flow cytometric analysis and Wright-Giemsa staining show a defective differentiation at late stages of erythropoiesis in Gps2-/- embryos. Mechanistically, GPS2 interacts with EKLF and prevents proteasome-mediated degradation of EKLF, thereby increasing EKLF stability and transcriptional activity. Moreover, we identify the amino acids 191-230 region in EKLF protein, responsible for GPS2 binding, that is highly conserved in mammals and essential for EKLF protein stability. Collectively, our study uncovers a previously unknown role of GPS2 as a posttranslational regulator that enhances the stability of EKLF protein and thereby promotes erythroid differentiation.

EDAG mediates Hsp70 nuclear localization in erythroblasts and rescues dyserythropoiesis in myelodysplastic syndrome.

During human erythroid maturation, Hsp70 translocates into the nucleus and protects GATA-1 from caspase-3 cleavage. Failure of Hsp70 to localize to the nucleus was found in Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) erythroblasts and can induce dyserythropoiesis, with arrest of maturation and death of erythroblasts. However, the mechanism of the nuclear trafficking of Hsp70 in erythroblasts remains unknown. Here, we found the hematopoietic transcriptional regulator, EDAG, to be a novel binding partner of Hsp70 that forms a protein complex with Hsp70 and GATA-1 during human normal erythroid differentiation. EDAG overexpression blocked the cytoplasmic translocation of Hsp70 induced by EPO deprivation, inhibited GATA-1 degradation, thereby promoting erythroid maturation in an Hsp70-dependent manner. Furthermore, in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients with dyserythropoiesis, EDAG is dramatically down-regulated, and forced expression of EDAG has been found to restore the localization of Hsp70 in the nucleus and elevate the protein level of GATA-1 to a significant extent. In addition, EDAG rescued the dyserythropoiesis of MDS patients by increasing erythroid differentiation and decreasing cell apoptosis. This study demonstrates the molecular mechanism of Hsp70 nuclear sustaining during erythroid maturation and establishes that EDAG might be a suitable therapeutic target for dyserythropoiesis in MDS patients.

Ginsenoside Rb1 attenuates cardiomyocyte apoptosis induced by myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury through mTOR signal pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1) is known to play an effective protection on myocardial infarction, yet its therapeutic mechanism on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury has remained obscure. Here we sought to investigate the protective mechanism of GRb1 preconditioning on myocardial I/R injury in rats. METHODS AND RESULTS: We report here that GRb1 preconditioning could improve myocardial I/R injury induced-cardiac functions including LVDP, -dp/dt min and + dp/dt max; however, the heart rate (HR) was maintained at a level comparable to the I/R group. Additionally, in I/R injury group given GRb1 preconditioning, release of myocardial enzymes (CK-MB and Trop l) and CtsB was decreased. Moreover, GRb1 decreased the expression of apoptotic related proteins e.g. cleaved-caspase 3; however, the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax related to anti-apoptosis was decreased. The study was extended by injecting rapamycin intraperitoneally before GRb1 pretreatment. Thus, mTOR pathway was significantly upregulated after GRb1 pretreatment when compared with I/R. Remarkably, the anti-apoptosis protection of GRb1 pretreatment was attenuated by rapamycin. Furthermore, GRb1 effectively reduced the infarct size thus supporting its role in anti-myocardial I/R injury. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that GRb1 preconditioning can ameliorate myocardial I/R injury as manifested by the improvement of cardiac function indices; moreover, release of myocardial enzymes, namely, CK-MB, Trop l and CtsB was reduced. More importantly, we have shown that the protective effect of GRb1 against I/R injury induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis is associated with the activation of mTOR signal pathway as evident by the use of rapamycin.

Molecular Epidemiological and Serological Studies of Bovine Leukemia Virus in Taiwan Dairy Cattle.

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infection results in a decrease in milk yield and quality, a compromise in immunity, and shortening in the longevity of cows. The current status of BLV infection of dairy cattle in Taiwan remains unclear. To evaluate BLV infection, anti-BLV gp51 antibody and proviral DNA were detected. Surprisingly, the seroprevalence of BLV at the animal and herd level was as high as 81.8% (540/660 cattle) and 99.1% (109/110 herds), respectively. Among 152 blood samples analyzed, 132 (86.8%) were detected as positive for BLV-proviral DNA. When the complete blood count (CBC) was taken into account, the white blood cell (WBC) number appears to be the factor with the highest predicted potential for BLV infection. Moreover, based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the sensitivity and specificity are 72.0 and 75.0%, respectively, when the cut-off value of the WBC was set at 10.215 K/µL. Despite the co-circulation of genotype 1 and 3 in Taiwan, genotype 1 was much more prevalent (29/30). Taken together, due to the high prevalence of BLV, the identification of risk factors for interrupting the routes of transmission of BLV are critical for the control and prevention of further BLV infection.

[Dynamics of Proliferation and Differentiation after Transplantation of Hematopoietic Cells in Mouse].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Listeria monocytogenes infection on hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) composition, cell cycle and cell colony-forming ability in mouse bone marrow. METHODS: The C57BL/6J mice were divided into infected group and control group. The mice in injected group were infected intraperitoneally with 6.7×106 CFU Listeria monocytogenes,while the mice in control group were injecfed with PBS of same volume.The serum levels of IFNγ were detected at different time points. After 24 hours, the HS/PC composition, cell cycle and cell colony-forming ability in bone marrow of mice were measured, and the difference between the control group and the infected group was statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Serum IFNγ levels peaked at 24 hours after infection with Listeria monocytogenes. After 24 h, the proportion of LSK, LSK in S phase, and short-term hematopoietic stem cells (ST-HSC) in the infected group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P＜0.001), long-term hematopoietic stem cells (LT-HSC) and the proportion of LT-HSC in S phase were significantly increased (P＜0.01), and the cell colony-forming ability of bone marrow significantly decreased (P＜0.01). [WTHZ]Conclusion: [WTB1]After infection with Listeria monocytogenes, bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells enter the proliferative state from rest, the cell colony-forming ability decreases, suggesting that Listeria monocytogenes infection can cause hematopoietic stem cell depletion.

A selective c-Met and Trks inhibitor Indo5 suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma growth.

BACKGROUND: Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lacks effective curative therapy and there is an urgent need to develop a novel molecular-targeted therapy for HCC. Selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors have shown promise in treating cancers including HCC. Tyrosine kinases c-Met and Trks are potential therapeutic targets of HCC and strategies to interrupt c-Met and Trks cross-signaling may result in increased effects on HCC inhibition. METHODS: The effects of Indo5 on c-Met and Trks activity were determined with in vitro kinase activity assay, cell-based signaling pathway activation, and kinases-driven cell transformation. The in vivo anti-tumor activity was determined with xenograft mice and liver orthotopic mice models. The co-expression of c-Met and TrkB in 180 pairs of HCC and adjacent normal tissues were detected using immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: Indo5, a novel lead compound displayed biochemical potency against both c-Met and Trks with selectivity over 13 human kinases. Indo5 abrogated HGF-induced c-Met signaling activation and BDNF/NGF-induced Trks signal activation, c-Met or TrkB-mediated cell transformation and migration. Furthermore, Indo5 significantly decreased the growth of HCC cells in xenograft mice and improved the survival of mice with liver orthotopic tumors. In addition, co-expression of c-Met and TrkB in HCC patients was a predictor of poor prognosis, and combined inhibition of c-Met and TrkB exerted a synergistic suppressive effect on HCC. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that Indo5 is associated with marked suppression of c-Met and Trks co-expressing HCC, supporting its clinical development as an antitumor treatment for HCC patients with co-active c-Met and Trks signaling.

Combination Therapy with LXW7 and Ceria Nanoparticles Protects against Acute Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats.

Ischemia/reperfusion is known to greatly increase oxidative stress in the penumbra, which results in brain damage. Integrin αvß3 is selectively up-regulated with ischemic injury to the brain and remains elevated throughout reperfusion. We determined whether or not a new compound biotinylated-LXW7-ceria nanoparticle (CeNP) (bLXW7-CeNP) plays a role in brain protection in the rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion and shows better effects than CeNPs alone in improving the outcomes of focal oxidative stress and apoptosis more effectively. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to focal cerebral ischemia for 2 h followed by a 24-h reperfusion. Drug treatment was intravenously administered via the caudal vein 1 h after occlusion. Rats were randomly divided into the following 4 groups: bLXW7-CeNP treatment group (0.5 mg/kg); CeNP treatment group (0.5 mg/kg); control saline group; and sham group. Brains were harvested 24 h after reperfusion, and the neurologic deficit scores, infarction volume, blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, and the level of oxidative stress and apoptosis were determined. Results showed that the bLXW7-CeNP and CeNP treatments could improve neurologic deficit scores, infarction volume, BBB disruption, and the level of oxidative stress and apoptosis. Compound bLXW7-CeNP treatment exhibited better effects than CeNp treatment and showed remarkable statistical differences in the infarction volume, the degree of BBB breakdown, the apoptosis and oxidative stress, apart from neurologic deficit scores. Thus, we concluded that bLXW7-CeNP protects against acute cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. BLXW7, as a ligand of integrin αvß3, may be able to effectively localize the anti-oxidant CeNPs to the ischemic penumbra region, which may provide more adequate opportunities for CeNPs to exert anti-oxidative stress effects and subsequently reduce apoptosis in acute cerebral ischemia/reperfusion.

EDAG promotes the expansion and survival of human CD34+ cells.

EDAG is multifunctional transcriptional regulator primarily expressed in the linloc-kit+Sca-1+ hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and CD34+ progenitor cells. Previous studies indicate that EDAG is required for maintaining hematopoietic lineage commitment balance. Here using ex vivo culture and HSC transplantation models, we report that EDAG enhances the proliferative potential of human cord blood CD34+ cells, increases survival, prevents cell apoptosis and promotes their repopulating capacity. Moreover, EDAG overexpression induces rapid entry of CD34+ cells into the cell cycle. Gene expression profile analysis indicate that EDAG knockdown leads to down-regulation of various positive cell cycle regulators including cyclin A, B, D, and E. Together these data provides novel insights into EDAG in regulation of expansion and survival of human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells.