Integrated Analysis Construct a Tumor-Associated Macrophage Novel Signature with Promising Implications in Predicting the Prognosis and Immunotherapeutic Response of Gastric Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) remains one of the most prevalent malignant tumors worldwide. At present, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are essential in the progression, metastasis, and drug resistance of tumors. Therefore, TAMs can be a crucial target for tumor treatment. AIMS: We intended to investigate the TAM characteristics in GC and develop a risk signature based on TAM to predict the prognosis of GC patients. METHODS: The single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and bulk RNA-seq data were acquired from a publicly available database. We utilized the Seurat pipeline to process the scRNA-seq data and determine TAM cell types using marker genes. Univariate Cox regression analysis was utilized to examine TAM-related prognostic genes, and then we employed Lasso-Cox regression analysis, and Multivariate Cox regression analysis established a novel risk profile to forecast the clinical value of the model with a new nomogram combining risk profiles and clinicopathological characteristics. RESULTS: The current study employed scRNA-seq data to identify five TAM clusters in GC, among which four were significantly associated with GC prognosis. Accordingly, we further developed a TAM-related risk signature utilizing nine genes. After evaluation, our model accurately predicted the prognosis of gastric cancer. Generally, GC patients with low TAMS scores exhibited a more favorable prognosis, greater benefits from immunotherapy, and higher levels of immune cell infiltration. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of GC can be effectively predicted by TAM-based risk signatures, and the signature may provide a new perspective for comprehensively guiding clinical diagnosis, prediction, and immunotherapy for gastric cancer.

DCBLD2 regulates vascular hyperplasia by modulating the platelet derived growth factor receptor-ß endocytosis through Caveolin-1 in vascular smooth muscle cells.

DCBLD2 is a neuropilin-like transmembrane protein that is up-regulated during arterial remodeling in humans, rats, and mice. Activation of PDGFR-ß via PDGF triggers receptor phosphorylation and endocytosis. Subsequent activation of downstream signals leads to the stimulation of phenotypic conversion of VSMCs and arterial wall proliferation, which are common pathological changes in vascular remodeling diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, and restenosis after angioplasty. In this study, we hypothesized that DCBLD2 regulates neointimal hyperplasia through the regulation of PDGFR-ß endocytosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) through Caveolin-1 (Cav-1). Compared with wild-type (WT) mice or control littermate mice, the germline or VSMC conditional deletion of the Dcbld2 gene resulted in a significant increase in the thickness of the tunica media in the carotid artery ligation. To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms, VSMCs were isolated from the aorta of WT or Dcbld2-/- mice and were stimulated with PDGF. Western blotting assays demonstrated that Dcbld2 deletion increased the PDGF signaling pathway. Biotin labeling test and membrane-cytosol separation test showed that after DCBLD2 was knocked down or knocked out, the level of PDGFR-ß on the cell membrane was significantly reduced, while the amount of PDGFR-ß in the cytoplasm increased. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments showed that after DCBLD2 gene knock-out, the binding of PDGFR-ß and Cav-1 in the cytoplasm significantly increased. Double immunofluorescence staining showed that PDGFR-ß accumulated Cav-1/lysosomes earlier than for control cells, which indicated that DCBLD2 gene knock-down or deletion accelerated the endocytosis of PDGF-induced PDGFR-ß in VSMCs. In order to confirm that DCBLD2 affects the relationship between Cav-1 and PDGFR-ß, proteins extracted from VSMCs cultured in vitro were derived from WT and Dcbld2-/- mice, whereas co-immunoprecipitation suggested that the combination of DCBLD2 and Cav-1 reduced the bond between Cav-1 and PDGFR-ß, and DCBLD2 knock-out was able to enhance the interaction between Cav-1 and PDGFR-ß. Therefore, the current results suggest that DCBLD2 may inhibit the caveolae-dependent endocytosis of PDGFR-ß by anchoring the receptor on the cell membrane. Based on its ability to regulate the activity of PDGFR-ß, DCBLD2 may be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Resveratrol ameliorates podocyte damage in diabetic mice via SIRT1/PGC-1α mediated attenuation of mitochondrial oxidative stress.

Excessive generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) is considered to be initiating event in the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Mitochondrial biosynthesis mediated by coactivator PGC-1α and its downstream transcription factors NRF1 and TFAM may be a key target in maintaining mitochondrial function. Resveratrol (RESV), a natural polyphenolic antioxidant, is a potent SIRT1 agonist. In this study we established diabetes mouse and podocyte exposed to high glucose as in vivo and in vitro models to investigate the efficacy and mechanism of RESV on renoprotection. We found that RESV alleviated proteinuria of diabetic mice, decreased malondialdehyde content while increased Mn-SOD activity in renal cortex, inhibited the apoptosis of glomerular podocytes and renal tubular epithelial cells, ameliorated pathological manifestations, and restored the expression of SIRT1 and PGC-1α in renal tissues of DN mice. In podocytes exposed to high glucose, RESV inhibited excessive ROS production and apoptosis. In addition, RESV decreased mitochondrial ROS production, improved respiratory chain complex I and III activity, elevated mitochondrial membrane potential, and inhibited the release of Cyto C and Diablo in the mitochondria into the cytoplasm. Taken together, our findings suggest that RESV ameliorates podocyte damage in diabetic mice via SIRT1/PGC-1α mediated attenuation of mitochondrial oxidative stress.

A NMDA-receptor calcium influx assay sensitive to stimulation by glutamate and glycine/D-serine.

N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptors (NMDARs) are ionotropic glutamate receptors that function in synaptic transmission, plasticity and cognition. Malfunction of NMDARs has been implicated in a variety of nervous system disorders, making them attractive therapeutic targets. Overexpression of functional NMDAR in non-neuronal cells results in cell death by excitotoxicity, hindering the development of cell-based assays for NMDAR drug discovery. Here we report a plate-based, high-throughput approach to study NMDAR function. Our assay enables the functional study of NMDARs with different subunit composition after activation by glycine/D-serine or glutamate and hence presents the first plate-based, high throughput assay that allows for the measurement of NMDAR function in glycine/D-serine and/or glutamate sensitive modes. This allows to investigate the effect of small molecule modulators on the activation of NMDARs at different concentrations or combinations of the co-ligands. The reported assay system faithfully replicates the pharmacology of the receptor in response to known agonists, antagonists, positive and negative allosteric modulators, as well as the receptor's sensitivity to magnesium and zinc. We believe that the ability to study the biology of NMDARs rapidly and in large scale screens will enable the identification of novel therapeutics whose discovery has otherwise been hindered by the limitations of existing cell based approaches.

Acetylbritannilactone Modulates Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Signaling and Regulates Angiogenesis in Endothelial Cells.

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of 1-O-acetylbritannilactone (ABL), a compound extracted from Inula britannica L., on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling and angiogenesis in endothelial cells (ECs). We showed that ABL promotes VEGF-induced cell proliferation, growth, migration, and tube formation in cultured human ECs. Furthermore, the modulatory effect of ABL on VEGF-induced Akt, MAPK p42/44, and p38 phosphorylation, as well as on upstream VEGFR-2 phosphorylation, were associated with VEGF-dependent Matrigel angiogenesis in vivo. In addition, animals treated with ABL (26 mg/kg/day) recovered blood flow significantly earlier than control animals, suggesting that ABL affects ischemia-mediated angiogenesis and arteriogenesis in vivo. Finally, we demonstrated that ABL strongly reduced the levels of VEGFR-2 on the cell surface, enhanced VEGFR-2 endocytosis, which consistent with inhibited VE-cadherin, a negative regulator of VEGF signaling associated with VEGFR-2 complex formation, but did not alter VE-cadherin or VEGFR-2 expression in ECs. Our results suggest that ABL may serve as a novel therapeutic intervention for various cardiovascular diseases, including chronic ischemia, by regulating VEGF signaling and modulating angiogenesis.

Matrix metalloproteinase 12 modulates high-fat-diet induced glomerular fibrogenesis and inflammation in a mouse model of obesity.

Obesity-induced kidney injury contributes to albuminuria, which is characterized by a progressive decline in renal function leading to glomerulosclerosis and renal fibrosis. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) modulate inflammation and fibrosis by degrading a variety of extracellular matrix and regulating the activities of effector proteins. Abnormal regulation of MMP-12 expression has been implicated in abdominal aortic aneurysm, atherosclerosis, and emphysema, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The present study examined the function of MMP-12 in glomerular fibrogenesis and inflammation using apo E(-/-) or apo E(-/-)MMP-12(-/-) mice and maintained on a high-fat-diet (HFD) for 3, 6, or 9 months. MMP-12 deletion reduced glomerular matrix accumulation, and downregulated the expression of NADPH oxidase 4 and the subunit-p67(phox), indicating the inhibition of renal oxidative stress. In addition, the expression of the inflammation-associated molecule MCP-1 and macrophage marker-CD11b was decreased in glomeruli of apo E(-/-)MMP-12(-/-) mice fed HFD. MMP-12 produced by macrophages infiltrating into glomeruli contributed to the degradation of collagen type IV and fibronectin. Crescent formation due to renal oxidative stress in Bowman's space was a major factor in the development of fibrogenesis and inflammation. These results suggest that regulating MMP-12 activity could be a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of crescentic glomerulonephritis and fibrogenesis.

Benazepril affects integrin-linked kinase and smooth muscle α-actin expression in diabetic rat glomerulus and cultured mesangial cells.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease and is associated with excessive cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) benazepril has been shown to slow the progression of chronic renal disease and have beneficial effects in patients with a combination of chronic renal disease and cardiovascular disease. Transforming growth factor-ß(1) (TGF-ß(1)) plays a central role in the pathogenesis and progression of DN. Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) can modulate TGF-ß(1)-induced glomerular mesangial cell (GMC) injury, which is a prominent characteristic of renal pathology in kidney diseases. As an integrin cytoplasmic-binding protein, ILK regulates fibronectin (FN) matrix deposition and the actin cytoskeleton. Smooth muscle α-actin (α-SMA) is involved in progressive renal dysfunction in both human and experimental renal disease. METHODS: To explore the mechanisms of benazepril's reno-protective effects, we examined the expression of TGF-ß(1), ILK, and α-SMA in GMC exposed to high glucose (HG) and in the kidneys of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats using real-time quantitative RT-PCR and western blot analysis. To elucidate the mechanism(s) of the effect of benazepril on GMC cellular processes, we assessed the effect of benazepril on Angiotensin II (Ang II) signalling pathways using western blot analysis. RESULTS: The expression of TGF-ß(1), ILK, and α-SMA increased significantly in the diabetic group compared with the control group. Benazepril treatment inhibited the expression of these genes in DN but failed to rescue the same levels in the control group. Similar results were found in GMC treated with HG or benazepril. Ang II increased ERK and Akt phosphorylation in the HG group, and benazepril could not completely block these responses, suggesting that other molecules might be involved in the progression of DN. Our findings suggest that benazepril decreases ILK and α-SMA expression, at least in part, by affecting the interactions between Ang II and TGF-ß(1). CONCLUSIONS: The findings described here support the hypothesis that the HG milieu of diabetes increases TGF-ß(1) secretion, which increases the synthesis of ILK and α-SMA that are involved in the progression of DN. This might be an important mechanism of the benazepril renal-protective function in the pathogenesis of DN.

The tyrosine phosphatase PTPN14 is a negative regulator of YAP activity.

The Hippo (Hpo) pathway is a novel signaling pathway that controls organ size in Drosophila and mammals and is deregulated in a variety of human cancers. It consists of a set of kinases that, through a number of phosphorylation events, inactivate YAP, a transcriptional co-activator that controls cellular proliferation and apoptosis. We have identified PTPN14 as a YAP-binding protein that negatively regulates YAP activity by controlling its localization. Mechanistically, we find that the interaction of ectopic YAP with PTPN14 can be mediated by the respective WW and PPxY motifs. However, the PTPN14 PPxY motif and phosphatase activity appear to be dispensable for the negative regulation of endogenous YAP, likely suggesting more complex mechanisms of interaction and modulation. Finally, we demonstrate that PTPN14 downregulation can phenocopy YAP activation in mammary epithelial cells and synergize with YAP to induce oncogenic transformation.

Evaluation of division-arrested cells for cell-based high-throughput screening and profiling.

Just-in-time cell supply for cell-based high-throughput screening (HTS) is frequently problematic. In addition to scheduling and logistical issues, quality issues and variability due to passage effect, cell cycle, or confluency contribute to day-to-day signal variability in the course of cell-based HTS campaigns. Cell division-arrest and cryopreservation technologies permit the use of cells as assay-ready reagents for HTS and other cell-based profiling and structure-activity studies. In this report, the authors compare division-arrested and dividing cells in 2 assay types that are dependent on movement of proteins within or through cell membranes: a receptor tyrosine kinase assay involving A431 cells responsive to epidermal growth factor, and a secretion reporter assay, which measures secretion of a reporter gene, secreted alkaline phosphatase. In both assays, dividing and division-arrested cells yielded similar basal and maximal signals at a given cell density. Similar IC50s were obtained for reference inhibitors in each assay, type in both dividing and division-arrested cells. In addition, for the secretion reporter assay, when comparing IC50s obtained from 44 compounds randomly chosen from a primary screening hit list, the rank order of potency obtained from dividing cells and division-arrested cells was essentially identical. Furthermore, the results show that, under certain assay conditions, data generated using division-arrested cells are less variable than those generated using dividing cells. In summary, the results suggest that, in many cases, division-arrested cells can substitute for dividing cells and offer certain advantages for cell-based assays.