The relation of dermcidin with insulin resistance and inflammation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common endocrinopathy among women of reproductive age. Polycystic ovary syndrome is a metabolic disorder associated with insulin resistance and subclinical inflammation. Dermcidin, an antimicrobial peptide, involves in insulin resistance and inflammatory processes. Dermcidin suppresses the secretion of insulin production from the liver/pancreas and also increases insulin resistance. We aimed to discover whether dermcidin levels were altered in polycystic ovary syndrome women compared to controls and determine the link of dermcidin with hormonal-metabolic parameters in polycystic ovary syndrome women. METHODS: The current research was designed as a case-control study and Rotterdam 2003 criteria were used for diagnosing polycystic ovary syndrome. A total of 75 subjects with polycystic ovary syndrome and 75 age- and body mass index-matched subjects as controls were enrolled in the study. The insulin resistance state was determined using a homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were assessed to define inflammation. RESULTS: Circulating dermcidin levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Dermcidin levels were significantly increased in polycystic ovary syndrome subjects compared to controls (172.53±42.41 ng/mL vs. 108.44±31.69 ng/mL, p<0.001). Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were markedly increased, whereas quantitative insulin sensitivity check index levels were notably decreased in women with polycystic ovary syndrome compared to controls. Linear regression analysis revealed that dermcidin exhibited an independent link with homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, whereas dermcidin displayed an inversely independent link with quantitative insulin sensitivity check index. CONCLUSION: Increased dermcidin levels were associated with insulin resistance and inflammation in polycystic ovary syndrome women, suggesting that dermcidin may play a role in the pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Preclinical Development of Seriniquinones as Selective Dermcidin Modulators for the Treatment of Melanoma.

The bioactive natural product seriniquinone was discovered as a potential melanoma drug, which was produced by the as-yet-undescribed marine bacterium of the rare genus Serinicoccus. As part of a long-term research program aimed at the discovery of new agents for the treatment of cancer, seriniquinone revealed remarkable in vitro activity against a diversity of cancer cell lines in the US National Cancer Institute 60-cell line screening. Target deconvolution studies defined the seriniquinones as a new class of melanoma-selective agents that act in part by targeting dermcidin (DCD). The targeted DCD peptide has been recently examined and defined as a "pro-survival peptide" in cancer cells. While DCD was first isolated from human skin and thought to be only an antimicrobial peptide, currently DCD has been also identified as a peptide associated with the survival of cancer cells, through what is believed to be a disulfide-based conjugation with proteins that would normally induce apoptosis. However, the significantly enhanced potency of seriniquinone was of particular interest against the melanoma cell lines assessed in the NCI 60-cell line panel. This observed selectivity provided a driving force that resulted in a multidimensional program for the discovery of a usable drug with a new anticancer target and, therefore, a novel mode of action. Here, we provided an overview of the discovery and development efforts to date.

Dermcidin exerts its oncogenic effects in breast cancer via modulation of ERBB signaling.

BACKGROUND: We previously identified dermicidin (DCD), which encodes a growth and survival factor, as a gene amplified and overexpressed in a subset of breast tumors. Patients with DCD-positive breast cancer have worse prognostic features. We therefore searched for specific molecular signatures in DCD-positive breast carcinomas from patients and representative cell lines. METHODS: DCD expression was evaluated by qRT-PCR, immunohistochemical and immunoblot assays in normal and neoplastic tissues and cell lines. To investigate the role of DCD in breast tumorigenesis, we analyzed the consequences of its downregulation in human breast cancer cell lines using three specific shRNA lentiviral vectors. Genes up- and down-regulated by DCD were identified using Affymetrix microarray and analyzed by MetaCore Platform. RESULTS: We identified DCD splice variant (DCD-SV) that is co-expressed with DCD in primary invasive breast carcinomas and in other tissue types and cell lines. DCD expression in breast tumors from patients with clinical follow up data correlated with high histological grade, HER2 amplification and luminal subtype. We found that loss of DCD expression led to reduced cell proliferation, resistance to apoptosis, and suppressed tumorigenesis in immunodeficient mice. Network analysis of gene expression data revealed perturbed ERBB signaling following DCD shRNA expression including changes in the expression of ERBB receptors and their ligands. CONCLUSIONS: These findings imply that DCD promotes breast tumorigenesis via modulation of ERBB signaling pathways. As ERBB signaling is also important for neural survival, HER2+ breast tumors may highjack DCD's neural survival-promoting functions to promote tumorigenesis.

Investigations in associated protozoa-bacterial infections of cyprinids from a fish farm situated on the Jijia river in N-E of Romania / Investigações sobre infecções protozoárias-bacterianas associadas a ciprinídeos da exploração piscícola no rio Jijia, situado no NE da Romênia

In autumn 2011 in cyprinid farms located in Iasi on the Jijia river, several infections with bacterial strains and macroscopical external cysts on the skin were diagnosedwhich developed as a result of the stress induced by biotic and abiotic factors. On the examination of the cyst contents the presence of numerous spores was observed, mostly of the Dermocystidium sp genusThe samples were taken from the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) species from the fish farm as well as from the Jijia River. 35 fish were examined, all of them showing cysts, fragmentation of their dorsal fin and congestion of the gills. Histological examination of the skin showed a field of multiple dermal cysts with round light eosinophilic formations (14-16µm) containing a central refractable body similar to that reported for Dermocystidium sp. Gills samples were taken from the affected areas for the SEM examination with the purpose of evaluating not only aspects of normal morphology, but also aspects of some modifications of the affected areas as well as the presence of the etiologically incriminated bacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens. The isolates were identified through phenotypic methods. All the strains that showed mobility and oxidase-positivity were tested using API 20 NE strip. Consequently, they were taxonomically grouped into the species Pseudomonas fluorescens. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used for the first time in the characterization of the bacterial lesions produced by Pseudomonas strains on Cyprinus carpio and Carassius auratus gibelio gills. The diagnosis of septicemia with conditional pathogen species of Pseudomonas fluorescens was correlated with the results of the physico-chemical investigations of water and the data concerning the breeding conditions of the investigated livestock.(AU)

No outono de 2011, em fazendas de ciprinídeos localizadas em Iasi, no rio Jijia, diversas infecções bacterianas e cistos externos macroscópicos na pele se desenvolveram como resultado do estresse induzido por fatores bióticos e abióticos. No exame do conteúdo dos cistos, a presença de diversos esporos foi observada, a maioria do gênero Dermocystidium sp. As amostras foram colhidas das seguintes espécies: carpa comum (Cyprinus carpio) e carpa cruciana (Carassius auratus gibelio) de fazenda piscícola, além do rio Jijia. Assim sendo, 35 peixes foram examinados, todos demonstrando cistos, fragmentação da barbatana dorsal e congestão das guelras. O exame histológico da pele mostrou um campo de múltiplos cistos dérmicos com formações circulares claras eosinofílicas (14-16µm) contendo corpo central refratado similar ao relatado para Dermocystidium sp. Amostras de guelras foram retiradas das áreas afetadas para exame MEV, com o propósito de se avaliar não apenas os aspectos da morfologia normal, mas também os aspectos de algumas modificações das áreas afetadas, além da presença da bactéria etiologicamente incriminada: Pseudomonas fluorescens. Os isolados foram identificados por meio de métodos fenotípicos. Todas as amostras que mostraram mobilidade e positividade-oxidase foram testadas usando-se fita API 20 NE. Consequentemente, estas foram taxonomicamente agrupadas na espécie Pseudomonas fluorescens. O microscópio eletrônico de varredura (MEV) foi usado pela primeira vez na caracterização de lesões bacterianas produzidas por Pseudomonas nas guelras de Cyprinus carpio e Carassius auratus gibelio. O diagnóstico de septicemia com espécies condicionais de patogênico de Pseudomonas fluorescens foi correlacionado com os resultados das investigações físico-químicas da água e de dados sobre as condições de reprodução dos animais investigados.(AU)

Investigations in associated protozoa-bacterial infections of cyprinids from a fish farm situated on the Jijia river in N-E of Romania / Investigações sobre infecções protozoárias-bacterianas associadas a ciprinídeos da exploração piscícola no rio Jijia, situado no NE da Romênia

In autumn 2011 in cyprinid farms located in Iasi on the Jijia river, several infections with bacterial strains and macroscopical external cysts on the skin were diagnosedwhich developed as a result of the stress induced by biotic and abiotic factors. On the examination of the cyst contents the presence of numerous spores was observed, mostly of the Dermocystidium sp genusThe samples were taken from the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) species from the fish farm as well as from the Jijia River. 35 fish were examined, all of them showing cysts, fragmentation of their dorsal fin and congestion of the gills. Histological examination of the skin showed a field of multiple dermal cysts with round light eosinophilic formations (14-16µm) containing a central refractable body similar to that reported for Dermocystidium sp. Gills samples were taken from the affected areas for the SEM examination with the purpose of evaluating not only aspects of normal morphology, but also aspects of some modifications of the affected areas as well as the presence of the etiologically incriminated bacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens. The isolates were identified through phenotypic methods. All the strains that showed mobility and oxidase-positivity were tested using API 20 NE strip. Consequently, they were taxonomically grouped into the species Pseudomonas fluorescens. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used for the first time in the characterization of the bacterial lesions produced by Pseudomonas strains on Cyprinus carpio and Carassius auratus gibelio gills. The diagnosis of septicemia with conditional pathogen species of Pseudomonas fluorescens was correlated with the results of the physico-chemical investigations of water and the data concerning the breeding conditions of the investigated livestock...

No outono de 2011, em fazendas de ciprinídeos localizadas em Iasi, no rio Jijia, diversas infecções bacterianas e cistos externos macroscópicos na pele se desenvolveram como resultado do estresse induzido por fatores bióticos e abióticos. No exame do conteúdo dos cistos, a presença de diversos esporos foi observada, a maioria do gênero Dermocystidium sp. As amostras foram colhidas das seguintes espécies: carpa comum (Cyprinus carpio) e carpa cruciana (Carassius auratus gibelio) de fazenda piscícola, além do rio Jijia. Assim sendo, 35 peixes foram examinados, todos demonstrando cistos, fragmentação da barbatana dorsal e congestão das guelras. O exame histológico da pele mostrou um campo de múltiplos cistos dérmicos com formações circulares claras eosinofílicas (14-16µm) contendo corpo central refratado similar ao relatado para Dermocystidium sp. Amostras de guelras foram retiradas das áreas afetadas para exame MEV, com o propósito de se avaliar não apenas os aspectos da morfologia normal, mas também os aspectos de algumas modificações das áreas afetadas, além da presença da bactéria etiologicamente incriminada: Pseudomonas fluorescens. Os isolados foram identificados por meio de métodos fenotípicos. Todas as amostras que mostraram mobilidade e positividade-oxidase foram testadas usando-se fita API 20 NE. Consequentemente, estas foram taxonomicamente agrupadas na espécie Pseudomonas fluorescens. O microscópio eletrônico de varredura (MEV) foi usado pela primeira vez na caracterização de lesões bacterianas produzidas por Pseudomonas nas guelras de Cyprinus carpio e Carassius auratus gibelio. O diagnóstico de septicemia com espécies condicionais de patogênico de Pseudomonas fluorescens foi correlacionado com os resultados das investigações físico-químicas da água e de dados sobre as condições de reprodução dos animais investigados...