ROCK inhibitors alleviate myofibroblast transdifferentiation and vascular remodeling via decreasing TGFß1-mediated RhoGDI expression.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the Rho GDP dissociation inhibitor (RhoGDI) on TGFß1-mediated vascular adventitia myofibroblast transdifferentiation and on the inhibition of ROCK inhibitors. Myofibroblast transdifferentiation and vascular remodeling model were induced by TGFß1 in vitro and by balloon injury in vivo. H&E (Hematoxylin & Eosin) and PSR (Picrosirius Red) staining were used to observe vascular morphology while immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting were used to measure protein expression. Fasudil treatment reduced the expression of TGFß1, RhoGDI1, and RhoGDI2 in addition to vascular remodeling in the rat balloon injury model. TGFß1 induced the expression of α-SMA, TGFßRI, phospho-TGFßRI, RhoGDI1, RhoGDI2, and collagen secretion in human aortic adventitial fibroblasts (HAAFs). These effects were diminished after treatment with Y27632. Suppressing both RhoGDI1 and RhoGDI2 expression also blocked TGFß1-induced α-SMA expression and collagen secretion in HAAFs. Moreover, TGFßR inhibition blocked TGFß1-mediated collagen secretion and the expression of α-SMA, RhoGDI1, and RhoGDI2. These data suggested that ROCK inhibitors alleviate myofibroblast transdifferentiation and vascular remodeling by decreasing TGFß1-mediated expression of RhoGDI.

Whole-transcriptome analysis reveals established and novel associations with TMPRSS2:ERG fusion in prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Shortcomings of current methods of prostate cancer detection call for improved biomarkers. The transmembrane protease, serine 2:ets-related gene (TMPRSS2:ERG) gene fusion leads to the overexpression of ERG, an E-twenty six (ETS) family transcription factor, and is the most prevalent genetic lesion in prostate cancer, but its clinical utility remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two radical prostatectomy samples were analysed by next-generation whole-transcriptome sequencing. The chosen samples differed in fusion gene status, as previously determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Next-generation sequencing identified the involvement of novel and previously reported prostate cancer-related transcripts, the WNT signalling pathway, evasion of p53-mediated anti-proliferation and several ETS-regulated pathways in the prostate cancer cases examined. Overexpression of Rho GDP-dissociation inhibitor (RhoGDIB), a gene associated with fusion-positive prostate cancer, was found to elicit spindle-shaped morphology, faster cell migration and increased cell proliferation, phenotypic changes suggestive of cancer progression. CONCLUSION: The present findings confirm the value of comprehensive sequencing for biomarker development and provide potential avenues of future study.