HEG1 Protects Against Atherosclerosis by Regulating Stable Flow-Induced KLF2/4 Expression in Endothelial Cells.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis preferentially occurs in arterial regions of disturbed blood flow, and stable flow (s-flow) protects against atherosclerosis by incompletely understood mechanisms. METHODS: Our single-cell RNA-sequencing data using the mouse partial carotid ligation model was reanalyzed, which identified Heart-of-glass 1 (HEG1) as an s-flow-induced gene. HEG1 expression was studied by immunostaining, quantitive polymerase chain reaction, hybridization chain reaction, and Western blot in mouse arteries, human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs), and human coronary arteries. A small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of HEG1 was used to study its function and signaling mechanisms in HAECs under various flow conditions using a cone-and-plate shear device. We generated endothelial-targeted, tamoxifen-inducible HEG1 knockout (HEG1iECKO) mice. To determine the role of HEG1 in atherosclerosis, HEG1iECKO and littermate-control mice were injected with an adeno-associated virus-PCSK9 [proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9] and fed a Western diet to induce hypercholesterolemia either for 2 weeks with partial carotid ligation or 2 months without the surgery. RESULTS: S-flow induced HEG1 expression at the mRNA and protein levels in vivo and in vitro. S-flow stimulated HEG1 protein translocation to the downstream side of HAECs and release into the media, followed by increased messenger RNA and protein expression. HEG1 knockdown prevented s-flow-induced endothelial responses, including monocyte adhesion, permeability, and migration. Mechanistically, HEG1 knockdown prevented s-flow-induced KLF2/4 (Kruppel-like factor 2/4) expression by regulating its intracellular binding partner KRIT1 (Krev interaction trapped protein 1) and the MEKK3-MEK5-ERK5-MEF2 pathway in HAECs. Compared with littermate controls, HEG1iECKO mice exposed to hypercholesterolemia for 2 weeks and partial carotid ligation developed advanced atherosclerotic plaques, featuring increased necrotic core area, thin-capped fibroatheroma, inflammation, and intraplaque hemorrhage. In a conventional Western diet model for 2 months, HEG1iECKO mice also showed an exacerbated atherosclerosis development in the arterial tree in both sexes and the aortic sinus in males but not in females. Moreover, endothelial HEG1 expression was reduced in human coronary arteries with advanced atherosclerotic plaques. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that HEG1 is a novel mediator of atheroprotective endothelial responses to flow and a potential therapeutic target.

PySupercharge: a python algorithm for enabling ABC transporter bacterial secretion of all proteins through amino acid mutation.

BACKGROUND: The process of producing proteins in bacterial systems and secreting them through ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters is an area that has been actively researched and used due to its high protein production capacity and efficiency. However, some proteins are unable to pass through the ABC transporter after synthesis, a phenomenon we previously determined to be caused by an excessive positive charge in certain regions of their amino acid sequence. If such an excessive charge is removed, the secretion of any protein through ABC transporters becomes possible. RESULTS: In this study, we introduce 'linear charge density' as the criteria for possibility of protein secretion through ABC transporters and confirm that this criterion can be applied to various non-secretable proteins, such as SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins, botulinum toxin light chain, and human growth factors. Additionally, we develop a new algorithm, PySupercharge, that enables the secretion of proteins containing regions with high linear charge density. It selectively converts positively charged amino acids into negatively charged or neutral amino acids after linear charge density analysis to enable protein secretion through ABC transporters. CONCLUSIONS: PySupercharge, which also minimizes functional/structural stability loss of the pre-mutation proteins through the use of sequence conservation data, is currently being operated on an accessible web server. We verified the efficacy of PySupercharge-driven protein supercharging by secreting various previously non-secretable proteins commonly used in research, and so suggest this tool for use in future research requiring effective protein production.

FAT10 differentially stabilizes MYPT2 isoforms.

Myosin phosphatase (MP) is an enzyme complex that regulates muscle contraction and plays important roles in various physiological and pathological conditions. Myosin phosphatase targeting subunit (MYPT) 2, a subunit of MP, interacts with protein phosphatase 1c to regulate its phosphatase activity. MYPT2 exists in various isoforms that differ in the composition of essential motifs that contribute to its function. However, regulatory mechanisms underlying these isoforms are poorly understood. Human leukocyte antigen-F adjacent transcript 10 (FAT10) is a ubiquitin-like modifier that not only targets proteins for proteasomal degradation but also stabilizes its interacting proteins. In this study, we investigated the effect of the interaction between FAT10 and MYPT2 isoform a (the canonical full-length form of MYPT2) or MYPT2 isoform f (the natural truncated form of MYPT2). FAT10 interacted with both MYPT2 isoforms a and f; however, only MYPT2 isoform f was increased by FAT10, whereas MYPT2 isoform a remained unaffected by FAT10. We further confirmed that, in contrast to MYPT2 isoform a, MYPT2 isoform f undergoes rapid degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and that FAT10 stabilizes MYPT2 isoform f by inhibiting its ubiquitination. Therefore, our findings suggest that the interaction between FAT10 and MYPT2 isoforms leads to distinct stabilization effects on each isoform, potentially modulating MP activity.

Co-transient expression of PSA-Fc and PAP-Fc fusion protein in plant as prostate cancer vaccine candidates and immune responses in mice.

KEY MESSAGE: PAP-FcK and PSA-FcK prostate cancer antigenic proteins transiently co-expressed in plant induce their specific humoral immune responses in mice. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) have been considered as immunotherapeutic antigens for prostate cancer. The use of a single antigenic agent is unlikely to be effective in eliciting immunotherapeutic responses due to the heterogeneous and multifocal nature of prostate cancer. Thus, multiple antigens have been combined to enhance their anti-cancer effects. In the current study, PSA and PAP were fused to the crystallizable region (Fc region) of immunoglobulin G1 and tagged with KDEL, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signal motif, to generate PSA-FcK and PAP-FcK, respectively, and were transiently co-expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana. Western blot analysis confirmed the co-expression of PSA-FcK and PAP-FcK (PSA-FcK + PAP-FcK) with a 1:3 ratios in the co-infiltrated plants. PSA-FcK, PAP-FcK, and PSA-FcK + PAP-FcK proteins were successfully purified from N. benthamiana by protein A affinity chromatography. ELISA showed that anti-PAP and anti-PSA antibodies successfully detected PAP-FcK and PSA-FcK, respectively, and both detected PSA-FcK + PAP-FcK. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis confirmed the binding affinity of the plant-derived Fc fusion proteins to FcγRI/CD64. Furthermore, we also confirmed that mice injected with PSA-FcK + PAP-FcK produced both PSA- and PAP-specific IgGs, demonstrating their immunogenicity. This study suggested that the transient plant expression system can be applied to produce the dual-antigen Fc fusion protein (PSA-FcK + PAP-FcK) for prostate cancer immunotherapy.

Etiology and Pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis-Interstitial Lung Disease.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is one of the most serious extra-articular complications of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which increases the mortality of RA. Because the pathogenesis of RA-ILD remains poorly understood, appropriate therapeutic strategies and biomarkers have not yet been identified. Thus, the goal of this review was to summarize and analyze the reported data on the etiology and pathogenesis of RA-ILD. The incidence of RA-ILD increases with age, and is also generally higher in men than in women and in patients with specific genetic variations and ethnicity. Lifestyle factors associated with an increased risk of RA-ILD include smoking and exposure to pollutants. The presence of an anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody, high RA disease activity, and rheumatoid factor positivity also increase the risk of RA-ILD. We also explored the roles of biological processes (e.g., fibroblast-myofibroblast transition, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and immunological processes), signaling pathways (e.g., JAK/STAT and PI3K/Akt), and the histopathology of RA involved in RA-ILD pathogenesis based on published preclinical and clinical models of RA-ILD in animal and human studies.

The role of oxytocin, vasopressin, and their receptors at nociceptors in peripheral pain modulation.

Oxytocin and vasopressin are neurohypophyseal hormones with sequence similarity and play a central role in bodily homeostatic regulation. Pain is currently understood to be an important phenotype that those two neurohormones strongly downregulate. Nociceptors, the first component of the ascending neural circuit for pain signals, have constantly been shown to be modulated by those peptides. The nociceptor modulation appears to be critical in pain attenuation, which has led to a gradual increase in scientific interest about their physiological processes and also drawn attention to their translational potentials. This review focused on what are recently understood and stay under investigation in the functional modulation of nociceptors by oxytocin and vasopressin. Effort to produce a nociceptor-specific view could help to construct a more systematic picture of the peripheral pain modulation by oxytocin and vasopressin.

The transcription factor ORA59 exhibits dual DNA binding specificity that differentially regulates ethylene- and jasmonic acid-induced genes in plant immunity.

Jasmonic acid (JA) and ethylene (ET) signaling modulate plant defense against necrotrophic pathogens in a synergistic and interdependent manner, while JA and ET also have independent roles in certain processes, e.g. in responses to wounding and flooding, respectively. These hormone pathways lead to transcriptional reprogramming, which is a major part of plant immunity and requires the roles of transcription factors. ET response factors are responsible for the transcriptional regulation of JA/ET-responsive defense genes, of which ORA59 functions as a key regulator of this process and has been implicated in the JA-ET crosstalk. We previously demonstrated that Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) GDSL LIPASE 1 (GLIP1) depends on ET for gene expression and pathogen resistance. Here, promoter analysis of GLIP1 revealed ERELEE4 as the critical cis-element for ET-responsive GLIP1 expression. In a yeast one-hybrid screening, ORA59 was isolated as a specific transcription factor that binds to the ERELEE4 element, in addition to the well-characterized GCC box. We found that ORA59 regulates JA/ET-responsive genes through direct binding to these elements in gene promoters. Notably, ORA59 exhibited a differential preference for GCC box and ERELEE4, depending on whether ORA59 activation is achieved by JA and ET, respectively. JA and ET induced ORA59 phosphorylation, which was required for both activity and specificity of ORA59. Furthermore, RNA-seq and virus-induced gene silencing analyses led to the identification of ORA59 target genes of distinct functional categories in JA and ET pathways. Our results provide insights into how ORA59 can generate specific patterns of gene expression dynamics through JA and ET hormone pathways.

Characterization and applicability of novel alkali-tolerant carbonatogenic bacteria as environment-friendly bioconsolidants for management of concrete structures and soil erosion.

Cracking and erosion are critical factors that reduce the mechanical properties and stability of concrete structures and soil, respectively. They are recognized worldwide as severe disasters causing the collapse of many structures including stone heritage and dams, and landslides. Therefore, it is essential to propose effective and environment-friendly management methods to prevent them. Carbonatogenesis has recently received considerable attention as a reliable biological process for remediating cracks in calcareous structures, stabilizing loose soils, and sequestering CO2 in the environment. Isolating and characterizing carbonatogenic bacteria with excellent performance is crucial for applying this process to the field of environmental and civil engineering. The aim of this study was to isolate new CaCO3-precipitating bacteria and investigate various properties for their use as bioconsolidants. Furthermore, the possibility of restoring damaged structures and stabilizing loose sandy soil using isolated strain was investigated. Strain LC13 with urease and CaCO3-precipitating activity was isolated from limestone cave soil in Korea and identified as Arthrobacter sulfureus by phenotypic characterization and 16S rRNA gene analysis. Although cell growth was observed after an adaptation period at pH 11, strain LC13 grew well at pH 7-11, indicating alkali tolerance. The optimal conditions for CaCO3 precipitation were 1.0% yeast extract, 2.5% urea, 0.35% NaHCO3, and 400 mM CaCl2, with an initial pH of 6.5 at 30 °C. Under optimized conditions, maximal CaCO3 (22.92 ± 0.14 g/l) precipitated after 3 days, which was 10.8-fold higher than the value in a urea-CaCl2 medium. CaCO3 precipitation by strain LC13 was associated with an increased pH due to ureolysis and protein deamination. Using an optimized medium as a cementation solution, strain LC13 completely remediated 340-760 µm wide cracks over 3 days, and also restored the spalling of concrete surfaces. Furthermore, the sand treated with LC13 solidified with a surface strength of 14.9 kPa. Instrumental analysis confirmed that the crystals precipitated were a mixture of CaCO3 polymorphs composed of rhombohedral calcite and spherical vaterite. These results suggest that A. sulfureus LC13 may be useful for implementing sustainable biorestoration and environmental management technologies such as the in situ remediation of structural cracks and in situ prevention of soil erosion.

My video game console is so cool! A coolness theory-based model for intention to use video game consoles.

With the outbreak of COVID-19, the video game console market is thriving again. In this study, we attempted to explore users' intention to use video game consoles by developing a causal model mainly based on coolness theory and the technology acceptance model. To better illustrate user experience for video game consoles, we added several concepts to the causal model, including hedonic motivation, system and service quality, perceived cost, and game variety. Through examining survey-based data from 360 Koreans, we discovered that the model had a high explanatory power for users' intention to use video game consoles. The key findings were as follows: First, among the components of coolness theory, individuals' attitude toward consoles was significantly related to subcultural appeal and originality, but not to attractiveness. Second, originality positively influenced subcultural appeal significantly. Overall, this study implied that the novel coolness theory is effective for exploring user experience regarding of specific devices and services.

Contribution of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 to non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae-induced lung inflammation in COPD.

Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) expression is increased in the lungs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). DPP4 is known to be associated with inflammation in various organs, including LPS-induced acute lung inflammation. Since non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) causes acute exacerbations in COPD patients, we examined the contribution of DPP4 in NTHi-induced lung inflammation in COPD. Pulmonary macrophages isolated from COPD patients showed higher expression of DPP4 than the macrophages isolated from normal subjects. In response to NTHi infection, COPD, but not normal macrophages show a further increase in the expression of DPP4. COPD macrophages also showed higher expression of IL-1ß, and CCL3 responses to NTHi than normal, and treatment with DPP4 inhibitor, diprotin A attenuated this response. To examine the contribution of DPP4 in NTHi-induced lung inflammation, COPD mice were infected with NTHi, treated with diprotin A or PBS intraperitoneally, and examined for DPP4 expression, lung inflammation, and cytokine expression. Mice with COPD phenotype showed increased expression of DPP4, which increased further following NTHi infection. DPP4 expression was primarily observed in the infiltrated inflammatory cells. NTHi-infected COPD mice also showed sustained neutrophilic lung inflammation and expression of CCL3, and this was inhibited by DPP4 inhibitor. These observations indicate that enhanced expression of DPP4 in pulmonary macrophages may contribute to sustained lung inflammation in COPD following NTHi infection. Therefore, inhibition of DPP4 may reduce the severity of NTHi-induced lung inflammation in COPD.

Characterization of a Novel CaCO3-Forming Alkali-Tolerant Rhodococcus erythreus S26 as a Filling Agent for Repairing Concrete Cracks.

Biomineralization, a well-known natural phenomenon associated with various microbial species, is being studied to protect and strengthen building materials such as concrete. We characterized Rhodococcus erythreus S26, a novel urease-producing bacterium exhibiting CaCO3-forming activity, and investigated its ability in repairing concrete cracks for the development of environment-friendly sealants. Strain S26 grown in solid medium formed spherical and polygonal CaCO3 crystals. The S26 cells grown in a urea-containing liquid medium caused culture fluid alkalinization and increased CaCO3 levels, indicating that ureolysis was responsible for CaCO3 formation. Urease activity and CaCO3 formation increased with incubation time, reaching a maximum of 2054 U/min/mL and 3.83 g/L, respectively, at day four. The maximum CaCO3 formation was achieved when calcium lactate was used as the calcium source, followed by calcium gluconate. Although cell growth was observed after the induction period at pH 10.5, strain S26 could grow at a wide range of pH 4-10.5, showing its high alkali tolerance. FESEM showed rhombohedral crystals of 20-60 µm in size. EDX analysis indicated the presence of calcium, carbon, and oxygen in the crystals. XRD confirmed these crystals as CaCO3 containing calcite and vaterite. Furthermore, R. erythreus S26 successfully repaired the artificially induced large cracks of 0.4-0.6 mm width.

A cancer/testis antigen, NY-SAR-35, induces EpCAM, CD44, and CD133, and activates ERK in HEK293 cells.

The cancer/testis (CT) antigen NY-SAR-35 gene is located on the X chromosome and is aberrantly expressed in various cancers but not in normal tissues, other than testes. Previously, we reported the expression of NY-SAR-35 enhanced cell growth, proliferation, and invasion in HEK293 and cancer cells. To extend understanding of the NY-SAR-35 gene, we used a next generation sequencing (NGS) approach. NY-SAR-35 expression induced growth, proliferation, metastasis, and stemness genes, as indicated by the up-regulations of CXCR4, EpCAM, CD133, and CD44, at the mRNA and protein levels. The expression of NY-SAR-35 in HEK293 cells significantly increased ERK phosphorylation, but not the phosphorylation of AKT. In HEK293/NY-SAR-35 cells, the expressions of pro-apoptotic proteins, including p53, Bax, and p21, were reduced and that of cyclin E was increased. Also, NY-SAR-35 increased the expressions of pluripotency genes (Nanog, Oct-4, and Sox2) and the ability of HEK293 cells to form colonies. Taken together, the present study indicates NY-SAR-35 functions as a CT antigen that triggers oncogenesis and self-renewal.

Organocatalytic Asymmetric Mannich/Aza-Michael Cascade Reaction of δ-Formyl-α,ß-unsaturated Ketones with Cyclic N-Sulfimines: Enantioselective Synthesis of Benzosulfamidate-Fused Pyrrolidines.

A catalytic highly enantioselective Mannich/aza-Michael cascade reaction of δ-formyl-α,ß-unsaturated ketones with cyclic N-sulfimines, promoted by diphenylprolinol TMS ether as an organocatalyst, has been developed for the synthesis of chiral benzosulfamidate-fused pyrrolidines, which generated in good yields and with high diastero- and enantioselectivities. Further chemical transformations have been performed with chiral benzosulfamidate-fused pyrrolidines.

Primed IFN-γ-Umbilical Cord Stem Cells Ameliorate Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis.

Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) is a degenerative disorder affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), marked by persistent inflammation and structural damage to the joint. Only symptomatic treatment is available for managing TMJOA. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) show potential for treating TMJOA via their immune-modulating actions in the disease area. In addition, stimulation of inflammatory cytokines such as interferon-gamma in hUC-MSCs improves the therapeutic activity of naïve stem cells. Emerging evidence indicates that macrophages play significant roles in regulating joint inflammation through diverse secreted mediators in the pathogenesis of TMJOA. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of inflammatory cytokine-stimulated hUC-MSCs in repairing TMJOA-induced cartilage lesions and the role of macrophages in the disease. Our in vitro data showed that stimulated hUC-MSCs induce M2 polarization of macrophages and enhance the expression of anti-inflammatory molecules. These effects were subsequently validated in vivo. In a rat model of TMJOA, stimulated hUC-MSCs ameliorated inflammation and increased M2 macrophages ratio. Our results indicate that hUC-MSCs stimulated by inflammatory cytokines modulate the activation of M2 macrophages, thereby shifting the local osteoarthritis microenvironment toward a prochondrogenic state and facilitating cartilage repair in inflammatory conditions. Stimulating hUC-MSCs with inflammatory cytokines could potentially offer an effective therapeutic approach for TMJOA, with macrophages playing a pivotal role in immune modulation.

Efficacy of IFN-γ-Primed Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) is a degenerative disease affecting the cartilage and subchondral bone, leading to temporomandibular joint pain and dysfunction. The complex nature of TMJOA warrants effective alternative treatments, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown promise in regenerative therapies. The aim of this study is twofold: firstly, to ascertain the optimal interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)-primed MSC cell line for TMJOA treatment, and secondly, to comprehensively evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of IFN-γ-primed mesenchymal stem cells derived from the human umbilical cord matrix in a rat model of TMJOA. METHODS: We analyzed changes in the expression of several key genes associated with OA protection in MSC-secreted compounds. Following this, we performed co-culture experiments using a transwell system to predict gene expression changes in primed MSCs in the TMJOA environment. Subsequently, we investigated the efficacy of the selected IFN-γ-primed human umbilical cord matrix-derived MSCs (hUCM-MSCs) for TMJOA treatment in a rat model. RESULTS: IFN-γ-primed MSCs exhibited enhanced expression of IDO, TSG-6, and FGF-2. Moreover, co-culturing with rat OA chondrocytes induced a decrease in pro-inflammatory and extracellular matrix degradation factors. In the rat TMJOA model, IFN-γ-primed MSCs with elevated IDO1, TSG-6, and FGF2 expression exhibited robust anti-inflammatory and therapeutic capacities, promoting the improvement of the inflammatory environment and cartilage regeneration. CONCLUSION: These findings underscore the importance of prioritizing the mitigation of the inflammatory milieu in TMJOA treatment and highlight IFN-γ-primed MSCs secreting these three factors as a promising, comprehensive therapeutic strategy.

Boosting Hole Mobility: Indenofluorene-Arylamine Copolymers and Their Impact on Solution-Processed OLED Performance.

We introduce three newly designed thermally cross-linkable hole transport copolymers (PIF-TPD, PIF-F2PCz, and PIF-TPAPCz) for improving the performance of solution-processed organic light-emitting diodes (s-OLEDs). These copolymers, designed through a strategic molecular approach with benzocyclobutene (BCB) and styrene-based cross-linking monomers, show high solvent resistance at a low cross-linking temperature (150 °C). Furthermore, these conjugated copolymers based on planar indenofluorene with three different hole transport (HT) units, exhibit outstanding charge carrier mobility (1.61 × 10-2 cm2 V-1s-1), demonstrated by comparing hole reorganization energy and electronic coupling strength of HT units. Despite these copolymers showing the overall vertical orientation in the horizontal dipole moment measurement results, we demonstrated that the HT units can exhibit the preferred orientation, contributing to high hole transport properties. As a result, they perform exceptionally well as hole transport layers in green phosphorescent s-OLEDs, achieving a maximum external quantum efficiency of 15.3% and a maximum current efficiency of 53.9 cd A-1 with a small efficiency roll-off despite their relatively low triplet energy levels. These results are comparable to vacuum-deposited OLEDs, highlighting the potential of these copolymers in advancing OLED technology for display panels and lighting applications.

GnRH peripherally modulates nociceptor functions, exacerbating mechanical pain.

The function of peripheral nociceptors, the neurons that relay pain signals to the brain, are frequently tuned by local and systemic modulator substances. In this context, neurohormonal effects are emerging as an important modulatory mechanism, but many aspects remain to be elucidated. Here we report that gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), a brain-specific neurohormone, can aggravate pain by acting on nociceptors in mice. GnRH and GnRHR, the receptor for GnRH, are expressed in a nociceptor subpopulation. Administration of GnRH and its analogue, localized for selectively affecting the peripheral neurons, deteriorated mechanical pain, which was reproducible in neuropathic conditions. Nociceptor function was promoted by GnRH treatment in vitro, which appears to involve specific sensory transient receptor potential ion channels. These data suggest that peripheral GnRH can positively modulate nociceptor activities in its receptor-specific manner, contributing to pain exacerbation. Our study indicates that GnRH plays an important role in neurohormonal pain modulation via a peripheral mechanism.

Plant-Produced Therapeutic Crizanlizumab Monoclonal Antibody Binds P-Selectin to Alleviate Vaso-occlusive Pain Crises in Sickle Cell Disease.

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a severe genetic disorder causing vascular occlusion and pain by upregulating the adhesion molecule P-selectin on endothelial cells and platelets. It primarily affects infants and children, causing chronic pain, circulatory problems, organ damage, and complications. Thus, effective treatment and management are crucial to reduce SCD-related risks. Anti-P-selectin antibody Crizanlizumab (Crimab) has been used to treat SCD. In this study, the heavy and light chain (HC and LC) genes of anti-P-Selectin antibody Crimab were cloned into a plant expression binary vector. The HC gene was under control of the duplicated 35S promoter and nopaline synthase (NOS) terminator, whereas the LC gene was under control of the potato proteinase inhibitor II (PIN2) promoter and PIN2 terminator. Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404 was used to transfer the genes into the tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi) plant. In plants the genomic PCR and western blot confirmed gene presence and expression of HC and LC Crimab proteins in the plant, respectively. Crimab was successfully purified from transgenic plant leaf using protein A affinity chromatography. In ELISA, plant-derived Crimab (CrimabP) had similar binding activity to P-selectin compared to mammalian-derived Crimab (CrimabM). In surface plasmon resonance, the KD (dissociation binding constant) and response unit values were lower and higher than CrimabP, respectively. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the transgenic plant can be applied to produce biofunctional therapeutic monoclonal antibody.

Effects of Multidisciplinary Health Promotion Program Among Children in Community Childcare Center.

In this study, the effects of a 12-month multidisciplinary education program on the health status, dietary quality, and eating habits of children and adolescents attending community childcare centers were investigated. A total of 88 participants aged 7 to 17 years from 7 community childcare centers in Gyeonggi-do were enrolled. The intervention consisted of 12 multidisciplinary education sessions covering topics such as nutrition, exercise, and psychological education. All participants received the same education, and the effectiveness of the program was evaluated by categorizing them into a high participation group (HPG) and a low participation group (LPG) based on their participation rates. After intervention, in physical activities, moderate-intensity exercise was significantly reduced in the LPG, and there was no significant difference in psychological parameters. However, notable differences were observed in nutritional data. After intervention, intakes of calorie, carbohydrate, protein, and fat were significantly increased in both groups, and in particular, the change was found to be greater in HPG. Additionally, dietary fiber intake compared to the 2015 Korean Dietary Reference Intakes was increased in both groups. Daily food intake also increased dietary fiber intake in HPG, and meat and fruit intake was increased in LPG. In the nutrition quotient, there was a significant difference in HPG's pre- and post-scores in the diversity category, and in nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR), the NAR of phosphorus was increased in both groups. The findings of this study suggest that multidisciplinary education implemented at community childcare centers primarily enhanced nutrition-related factors rather than physical activity or psychological aspects. Trial Registration: Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0002718.

Ginkgo biloba extract ameliorates skin fibrosis in a bleomycin-induced mouse model of systemic sclerosis.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by skin and internal organ fibrosis and obliterative vasculopathy. Few effective treatments are currently available for fibrosis in SSc, therefore, demand persists for novel therapies. Although use of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) has been reported to improve blood circulation and alleviate liver and lung fibrosis, its effect on skin fibrosis in SSc remains unclear. In this study, the effects and underlying mechanisms of GBE on skin fibrosis in bleomycin (BLM)-induced mouse model of SSc was investigated. GBE significantly reduced dermal thickness and protein levels of profibrotic factors in the BLM-induced SSc mouse model. Moreover, GBE inhibited the gene expression of profibrotic factors, such as COL1A1, α-SMA, and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), in fibroblasts by suppressing transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß signaling. Furthermore, GBE inhibited the transdifferentiation of adipocytes into myofibroblasts. Thus, our findings suggest that GBE is a promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment of SSc.