Mercury Chloride but Not Lead Acetate Causes Apoptotic Cell Death in Human Lung Fibroblast MRC5 Cells via Regulation of Cell Cycle Progression.

Heavy metals are important for various biological systems, but, in excess, they pose a serious risk to human health. Heavy metals are commonly used in consumer and industrial products. Despite the increasing evidence on the adverse effects of heavy metals, the detailed mechanisms underlying their action on lung cancer progression are still poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated whether heavy metals (mercury chloride and lead acetate) affect cell viability, cell cycle, and apoptotic cell death in human lung fibroblast MRC5 cells. The results showed that mercury chloride arrested the sub-G1 and G2/M phases by inducing cyclin B1 expression. In addition, the exposure to mercury chloride increased apoptosis through the activation of caspase-3. However, lead had no cytotoxic effects on human lung fibroblast MRC5 cells at low concentration. These findings demonstrated that mercury chloride affects the cytotoxicity of MRC5 cells by increasing cell cycle progression and apoptotic cell death.

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals HgCl2 Induces Apoptotic Cell Death in Human Lung Carcinoma H1299 Cells through Caspase-3-Independent Pathway.

Mercury is one of the detrimental toxicants that can be found in the environment and exists naturally in different forms; inorganic and organic. Human exposure to inorganic mercury, such as mercury chloride, occurs through air pollution, absorption of food or water, and personal care products. This study aimed to investigate the effect of HgCl2 on cell viability, cell cycle, apoptotic pathway, and alters of the transcriptome profiles in human non-small cell lung cancer cells, H1299. Our data show that HgCl2 treatment causes inhibition of cell growth via cell cycle arrest at G0/G1- and S-phase. In addition, HgCl2 induces apoptotic cell death through the caspase-3-independent pathway. Comprehensive transcriptome analysis using RNA-seq indicated that cellular nitrogen compound metabolic process, cellular metabolism, and translation for biological processes-related gene sets were significantly up- and downregulated by HgCl2 treatment. Interestingly, comparative gene expression patterns by RNA-seq indicated that mitochondrial ribosomal proteins were markedly altered by low-dose of HgCl2 treatment. Altogether, these data show that HgCl2 induces apoptotic cell death through the dysfunction of mitochondria.

Annual and seasonal patterns in etiologies of pediatric community-acquired pneumonia due to respiratory viruses and Mycoplasma pneumoniae requiring hospitalization in South Korea.

BACKGROUND: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the leading worldwide causes of childhood morbidity and mortality. Its disease burden varies by age and etiology and is time dependent. We aimed to investigate the annual and seasonal patterns in etiologies of pediatric CAP requiring hospitalization. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study in 30,994 children (aged 0-18 years) with CAP between 2010 and 2015 at 23 nationwide hospitals in South Korea. Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) pneumonia was clinically classified as macrolide-sensitive MP, macrolide-less effective MP (MLEP), and macrolide-refractory MP (MRMP) based on fever duration after initiation of macrolide treatment, regardless of the results of in vitro macrolide sensitivity tests. RESULTS: MP and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were the two most commonly identified pathogens of CAP. With the two epidemics of MP pneumonia (2011 and 2015), the rates of clinical MLEP and MRMP pneumonia showed increasing trends of 36.4% of the total MP pneumonia. In children < 2 years of age, RSV (34.0%) was the most common cause of CAP, followed by MP (9.4%); however, MP was the most common cause of CAP in children aged 2-18 years of age (45.3%). Systemic corticosteroid was most commonly administered for MP pneumonia. The rate of hospitalization in intensive care units was the highest for RSV pneumonia, and ventilator care was most commonly needed in cases of adenovirus pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides fundamental data to establish public health policies to decrease the disease burden due to CAP and improve pediatric health.

Transcriptome dynamics of alternative splicing events revealed early phase of apoptosis induced by methylparaben in H1299 human lung carcinoma cells.

Methylparaben is most frequently used as an antimicrobial preservative in pharmaceuticals and foods. Methylparaben has been subjected to toxicological studies owing to the increasing concern regarding its possible impact on the environment and human health. However, the cytotoxicity and underlying mechanisms of methylparaben exposure in human lung cells have not been explored. Here, we investigated the effect of methylparaben on cell cycle, apoptotic pathways, and changes in the transcriptome profiles in human lung cells. Our results demonstrate that treatment with methylparaben causes inhibition of cell growth. In addition, methylparaben induced S- and G2/M-phase arrest as a result of enhanced apoptosis. Transcriptome analysis using RNA-seq revealed that mRNA expression of ER stress- and protein misfolding-related gene sets was upregulated in methylparaben-treated group. RNA splicing- and maturation-related gene sets were significantly down-regulated by methylparaben treatment. Interestingly, RNA-seq analysis at the transcript level revealed that alternative splicing events, especially retained intron, were markedly changed by a low dose of methylparaben treatment. Altogether, these data show that methylparaben induces an early phase of apoptosis through cell cycle arrest and downregulation of mRNA maturation.

Histone demethylase KDM3B regulates the transcriptional network of cell-cycle genes in hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer and the third most lethal cancer worldwide. Although gene mutations associated with HCC development have been intensively studied, how epigenetic factors specifically modulate the functional properties of HCC by regulating target gene expression is unclear. Here we demonstrated the overexpression of KDM3B in liver tissue of HCC patients using public RNA-seq data. Ablation of KDM3B by CRISPR/Cas9 retarded the cell cycle and proliferation of hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells. Approximately 30% of KDM3B knockout cells exhibited mitotic spindle multipolarity as a chromosome instability (CIN) phenotype. RNA-seq analysis of KDM3B knockout revealed significantly down-regulated expression of cell cycle related genes, especially cell proliferation factor CDC123. Furthermore, the expression level of Cyclin D1 was reduced in KDM3B knockout by proteosomal degradation without any change in the expression of CCND1, which encodes Cyclin D1. The results implicate KDM3B as a crucial epigenetic factor in cell cycle regulation that manipulates chromatin dynamics and transcription in HCC, and identifies a potential gene therapy target for effective treatment of HCC.

Transcriptome analysis for UVB-induced phototoxicity in mouse retina.

Throughout life, the human eye is continuously exposed to sunlight and artificial lighting. Ambient light exposure can lead to visual impairment and transient or permanent blindness. To mimic benign light stress conditions, Mus musculus eyes were exposed to low-energy UVB radiation, ensuring no severe morphological changes in the retinal structure post-exposure. We performed RNA-seq analysis to reveal the early transcriptional changes and key molecular pathways involved before the activation of the canonical cell death pathway. RNA-seq analysis identified 537 genes that were differentially modulated, out of which 126 were clearly up regulated (>2-fold, P < .01) and 51 were significantly down regulated (<2-fold, P < .01) in response to UVB irradiation in the mouse retina. Gene ontology analysis revealed that UVB exposure affected pathways for cellular stress and signaling (eg, Creb3, Ddrgk1, Grin1, Map7, Uqcc2, Uqcrb), regulation of chromatin and gene expression (eg, Chd5, Jarid2, Kat6a, Smarcc2, Sumo1, Zfp84), transcription factors (eg, Asxl2, Atf7, Per1, Phox2a, Rxra), RNA processing, and neuronal genes (eg, B4gal2, Drd1, Grm5, Rnf40, Rnps1, Usp39, Wbp4). The differentially expressed genes from the RNA-seq analysis were validated by quantitative PCR. Both analyses yielded similar gene expression patterns. The genes and pathways identified here improve the understanding of early transcriptional responses to UVB irradiation. They may also help in elucidating the genes responsible for the inherent susceptibility of humans to UVB-induced retinal diseases.

Histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) regulates retinal development through a PAX6-dependent pathway.

Cell fate determination is tightly controlled by the expression of transcription factors and gene regulatory networks. PAX6 is a transcription factor containing a DNA-binding paired-box domain and homeobox domain that plays a key role in the development of the eye, brain, and pancreas. Here, we showed that histone deacetyltransferase 1 (HDAC1) is a novel binding partner of PAX6 in newborn mouse retinas. We also showed that HDAC1 specifically binds to the paired and transactivation domains of PAX6, and these physical interactions were required for effective repression of PAX6 transcriptional activity during retinal development. Furthermore, HDAC1 preferentially regulates the transcriptional activity of PAX6 when it binds to paired-domain (P6CON and chimeric pCON/P3) PAX6 responsive elements compared to homeodomain (pP3) PAX6 responsive elements. The repressive effect of HDAC1 on the transcriptional activity of PAX6 was reversed by knockdown of HDAC1 or treatment with an HDAC inhibitor, TSA. Taken together, these results show that HDAC1 binds PAX6 and that protein-protein interaction leads to transcriptional repression of PAX6 target genes during mouse retinal development.

Accuracy and precision of a new portable ultrasound scanner, the Biocon-700, in residual urine volume measurement.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to examine the accuracy of a new portable abdominal ultrasound (US) machine (Biocon-700, Mcube Technology, Seoul, Korea) for measuring postvoid residual (PVR) urine. METHOD: One-hundred and twenty-five patients with voiding problems underwent PVR measurements, which were compared with the postvoid bladder volume measurements obtained by catheterization within 5 min in the same patients. Accuracy was assessed by comparing the two methods, and correlation coefficients were obtained. RESULT: The Pearson's correlation coefficient between PVR volume as measured by US and by catheterization was 0.872 (R 2 = 0.76). The mean difference was 23.59 ± 37.32 ml (95% confidence interval, 17.5-30.65 ml), and the absolute scan error tended to increase with a greater amount of catheterized residual urine volume (R 2 = 0.49). CONCLUSIONS: Accuracy of the Biocon-700 scanner is as good as catheter assessments of residual volume and is therefore a sufficient alternative to catheterization for determining residual urine volume.

Placenta Percreta-Induced Uterine Rupture at 7th Week of Pregnancy After In Vitro Fertilization in a Primigravida Woman: Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Placenta percreta is the most severe form of abnormal placental attachment. Spontaneous uterine rupture due to placenta percreta is extremely rare and difficult to diagnose in the first trimester. Most prior cases were associated with some risk factor for placenta percreta. We report a case of placenta percreta-induced spontaneous uterine rupture at the 7th week of pregnancy after in vitro fertilization in a primigravida woman who was not otherwise at risk of placenta percreta. CASE REPORT: A 34-year-old, primigravida woman at the 7th week of pregnancy presented with sudden severe abdominal pain. The patient was impregnated by frozen embryo transfer. The patient's antenatal course was unremarkable and she had no risk factor for placenta percreta. An emergency laparotomy was performed to diagnose the cause of hemoperitoneum and the operative findings included a hemoperitoneum of 2000 mL and a fundal uterine defect of 3 × 2 cm with placental tissue penetrating through the uterine serosa. Histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of placenta percreta. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Placenta percreta is associated with serious morbidity and mortality during pregnancy, but it is quite rare and difficult to diagnosis in the first trimester. Emergency physicians should suspect uterine rupture due to placenta percreta in pregnant women with abdominal pain even in their first trimester of pregnancy and without risk factors of placenta percreta, especially in in vitro fertilization pregnancies.

Sox4-mediated caldesmon expression facilitates differentiation of skeletal myoblasts.

Caldesmon (CaD), which was originally identified as an actin-regulatory protein, is involved in the regulation of diverse actin-related signaling processes, including cell migration and proliferation, in various cells. The cellular function of CaD has been studied primarily in the smooth muscle system; nothing is known about its function in skeletal muscle differentiation. In this study, we found that the expression of CaD gradually increased as differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts progressed. Silencing of CaD inhibited cell spreading and migration, resulting in a decrease in myoblast differentiation. Promoter analysis of the caldesmon gene (Cald1) and gel mobility shift assays identified Sox4 as a major trans-acting factor for the regulation of Cald1 expression during myoblast differentiation. Silencing of Sox4 decreased not only CaD protein synthesis but also myoblast fusion in C2C12 cells and myofibril formation in mouse embryonic muscle. Overexpression of CaD in Sox4-silenced C2C12 cells rescued the differentiation process. These results clearly demonstrate that CaD, regulated by Sox4 transcriptional activity, contributes to skeletal muscle differentiation.

Transcriptional regulatory network of SOX4 during myoblast differentiation.

The construction of transcriptional regulatory networks of transcription factors (TFs) has become more important and attractive to understand the alterations of binding protein-dependent transcriptional activity that governs the changes in spatiotemporal expression of TF target genes required in various cellular processes. Therefore, identification of new inner modules including target genes and protein interactions involved in unveiled TF-based transcription networks is currently in the research spotlight. In this study, we reveal a possible SOX4-centered transcriptional network by the identification of novel binding partners and target genes of the TF SOX4 using various screening techniques. Lamin B2, barrier to autointegration factor 1, and apolipoprotein C-III were identified as novel interacting partners of SOX4 by yeast two-hybrid screening, and the genes encoding lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1, ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2S, and Map2k2 were identified as putative target genes of SOX4. Differently from the computational networks of TFs, we revealed a SOX4-centered physical network during myoblast differentiation. These results will provide opportunities to better understand the SOX4-centered transcriptional regulation network and TF-based specific gene expression in various cellular environments.

Transcription factor FOXA2-centered transcriptional regulation network in non-small cell lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-mediated death. Although various therapeutic approaches are used for lung cancer treatment, these mainly target the tumor suppressor p53 transcription factor, which is involved in apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. However, p53-targeted therapies have limited application in lung cancer, since p53 is found to be mutated in more than half of lung cancers. In this study, we propose tumor suppressor FOXA2 as an alternative target protein for therapies against lung cancer and reveal a possible FOXA2-centered transcriptional regulation network by identifying new target genes and binding partners of FOXA2 by using various screening techniques. The genes encoding Glu/Asp-rich carboxy-terminal domain 2 (CITED2), nuclear receptor subfamily 0, group B, member 2 (NR0B2), cell adhesion molecule 1 (CADM1) and BCL2-associated X protein (BAX) were identified as putative target genes of FOXA2. Additionally, the proteins including highly similar to heat shock protein HSP 90-beta (HSP90A), heat shock 70 kDa protein 1A variant (HSPA1A), histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) and HDAC3 were identified as novel interacting partners of FOXA2. Moreover, we showed that FOXA2-dependent promoter activation of BAX and p21 genes is significantly reduced via physical interactions between the identified binding partners and FOXA2. These results provide opportunities to understand the FOXA2-centered transcriptional regulation network and novel therapeutic targets to modulate this network in p53-deficient lung cancer.

The chromodomain-containing histone acetyltransferase TIP60 acts as a code reader, recognizing the epigenetic codes for initiating transcription.

TIP60 can act as a transcriptional activator or a repressor depending on the cellular context. However, little is known about the role of the chromodomain in the functional regulation of TIP60. In this study, we found that TIP60 interacted with H3K4me3 in response to TNF-α signaling. TIP60 bound to H3K4me3 at the promoters of the NF-κB target genes IL6 and IL8. Unlike the wild-type protein, a TIP60 chromodomain mutant did not localize to chromatin regions. Because TIP60 binds to histones with specific modifications and transcriptional regulators, we used a histone peptide assay to identify histone codes recognized by TIP60. TIP60 preferentially interacted with methylated or acetylated histone H3 and H4 peptides. Phosphorylation near a lysine residue significantly reduced the affinity of TIP60 for the modified histone peptides. Our findings suggest that TIP60 acts as a functional link between the histone code and transcriptional regulators.

Uterine artery pseudoaneurysm manifesting as delayed postpartum hemorrhage after precipitous delivery: three case reports.

Precipitous delivery may lead to serious maternal and neonatal complications. Uterine artery pseudoaneurysm (UAP) is one of the causes of delayed postpartum hemorrhage. Here we describe 3 cases of UAP manifesting as delayed postpartum hemorrhage after precipitous delivery. The duration of the second stage of labor in cases 1, 2, and 3 was 15, 15, and 60 min, respectively. Excessive vaginal bleeding occurred 10, 9, and 31 days after delivery, respectively. Ultrasonogram and pelvic angiography revealed the UAP in each case and uterine artery embolization was performed. UAP may be a complication of precipitous delivery.

New molecular bridge between RelA/p65 and NF-κB target genes via histone acetyltransferase TIP60 cofactor.

The nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) family is involved in the expressions of numerous genes, in development, apoptosis, inflammatory responses, and oncogenesis. In this study we identified four NF-κB target genes that are modulated by TIP60. We also found that TIP60 interacts with the NF-κB RelA/p65 subunit and increases its transcriptional activity through protein-protein interaction. Although TIP60 binds with RelA/p65 using its histone acetyltransferase domain, TIP60 does not directly acetylate RelA/p65. However, TIP60 maintained acetylated Lys-310 RelA/p65 levels in the TNF-α-dependent NF-κB signaling pathway. In chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, TIP60 was primarily recruited to the IL-6, IL-8, C-IAP1, and XIAP promoters in TNF-α stimulation followed by acetylation of histones H3 and H4. Chromatin remodeling by TIP60 involved the sequential recruitment of acetyl-Lys-310 RelA/p65 to its target gene promoters. Furthermore, we showed that up-regulated TIP60 expression was correlated with acetyl-Lys-310 RelA/p65 expressions in hepatocarcinoma tissues. Taken together these results suggest that TIP60 is involved in the NF-κB pathway through protein interaction with RelA/p65 and that it modulates the transcriptional activity of RelA/p65 in NF-κB-dependent gene expression.

Transcription factor Sox4 is required for PUMA-mediated apoptosis induced by histone deacetylase inhibitor, TSA.

PUMA is a crucial regulator of apoptotic cell death mediated by p53-dependent and p53-independent mechanisms. In many cancer cells, PUMA expression is induced in response to DNA-damaging reagent in a p53-dependent manner. However, few studies have investigated transcription factors that lead to the induction of PUMA expression via p53-independent apoptotic signaling. In this study, we found that the transcription factor Sox4 increased PUMA expression in response to trichostatin A (TSA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor in the p53-null human lung cancer cell line H1299. Ectopic expression of Sox4 led to the induction of PUMA expression at the mRNA and protein levels, and TSA-mediated up-regulation of PUMA transcription was repressed by the knockdown of Sox4. Using luciferase assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation, we also determined that Sox4 recruits p300 on the PUMA promoter region and increases PUMA gene expression in response to TSA treatment. Taken together, these results suggest that Sox4 is required for p53-independent apoptotic cell death mediated by PUMA induction via TSA treatment.

Uniform graphene quantum dots patterned from self-assembled silica nanodots.

Graphene dots precisely controlled in size are interesting in nanoelectronics due to their quantum optical and electrical properties. However, most graphene quantum dot (GQD) research so far has been performed based on flake-type graphene reduced from graphene oxides. Consequently, it is extremely difficult to isolate the size effect of GQDs from the measured optical properties. Here, we report the size-controlled fabrication of uniform GQDs using self-assembled block copolymer (BCP) as an etch mask on graphene films grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Electron microscope images show that as-prepared GQDs are composed of mono- or bilayer graphene with diameters of 10 and 20 nm, corresponding to the size of BCP nanospheres. In the measured photoluminescence (PL) spectra, the emission peak of the GQDs on the SiO(2) substrate is shown to be at ∼395 nm. The fabrication of GQDs was supported by the analysis of the Raman spectra and the observation of PL spectra after each fabrication step. Additionally, oxygen content in the GQDs is rationally controlled by additional air plasma treatment, which reveals the effect of oxygen content to the PL property.

Immune-Stimulating Potential of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LM1019 in RAW 264.7 Cells and Immunosuppressed Mice Induced by Cyclophosphamide.

Probiotics, including Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus), have gained recognition for their potential health benefits, such as enhancing immune function, maintaining gut health, and improving nutrient absorption. This study investigated the effectiveness of L. rhamnosus LM1019 (LM1019) in enhancing immune function. In RAW 264.7 cells, LM1019 demonstrated dose-dependent immune stimulation by increasing nitric oxide production, gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines, and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). These effects were mediated through the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) translocation without inducing cytotoxicity. Furthermore, orally administered LM1019 was evaluated in immunosuppressed mice induced by cyclophosphamide (CTX). High-dose administration of LM1019 significantly increased the subpopulations of lymphocytes, specifically helper T cells (CD4+), as well as two subtypes of natural killer (NK) cells, namely, IFN-γ+ and granzyme B+ NK cells. Additionally, LM1019 at a high dose led to elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including IFN-γ and IL-12, compared to CTX-treated mice. These findings highlight the potential of LM1019 in enhancing the immune system. The study contributes to the growing body of research on the beneficial effects of probiotics on immune function.

Polypropylene microplastics promote metastatic features in human breast cancer.

Microplastics (MPs) are now a global issue due to increased plastic production and use. Recently, various studies have been performed in response to the human health risk assessment. However, these studies have focused on spherical MPs, which have smooth edges and a spherical shape and account for less than 1% of MPs in nature. Unfortunately, studies on fragment-type MPs are very limited and remain in the initial stages. In this study, we studied the effect that 16.4 µm fragment type polypropylene (PP) MPs, which have an irregular shape and sharp edges and form naturally in the environment, had on breast cancer. The detrimental effects of PPMPs on breast cancer metastasis were examined. Here, 1.6 mg/ml of PPMP, which does not induce cytotoxicity in MDA-MB-231, was used, and at this concentration, PPMP did not induce morphological changes or cellular migrating in the MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. However, PPMP incubation for 24 hours in the MDA-MB-231 cells significantly altered the level of cell cycle-related transcripts in an RNA-seq analysis. When confirmed by qRT-PCR, the gene expression of TMBIM6, AP2M1, and PTP4A2 was increased, while the transcript level of FTH1 was decreased. Further, secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 from cancer cells was elevated with the incubation of PPMP for 12 hours. These results suggest that PPMP enhances metastasis-related gene expression and cytokines in breast cancer cells, exacerbating breast cancer metastasis.