Lnc-SNHG1 may promote the progression of non-small cell lung cancer by acting as a sponge of miR-497.

Lnc-SNHG1 (small nucleolar RNA host gene 1) is considered an important regulating factor in several types of cancers. However, the biological functions and underlying molecular mechanisms in which lnc-SNHG1 is involved in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) still need to be explored. In this study, we investigated the detailed effects and possible molecular mechanisms. The transcript level of lnc-SNHG1 was higher in lung adenocarcinoma specimens and NSCLC cell lines than in noncancer tissue and cells. The level of expression was positively correlated with invasiveness and was negatively correlated with the level of miR-497 in vivo and in vitro. In exploring the regulatory mechanism, we found that lnc-SNHG1 might modulate tumor growth by sponging miR-497. The inhibitory effect of si-lnc-SNHG1 on NSCLC cell proliferation, migration and invasion could be rescued by miR-497 inhibition, while the overexpression of miR-497 could reverse the effect of lnc-SNHG1 overexpression. Furthermore, our study demonstrated that the lnc-SNHG1 regulated the expression of the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1-R) by acting as a sponge of miR-497 in NSCLC. lnc-SNHG1 could be a novel biomarker as well as a curative target.

miR-145 and miR-497 suppress TGF-ß-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition of non-small cell lung cancer by targeting MTDH.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to play crucial roles in multiple cancers including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we investigated the role of miR-145 and miR-497 in TGF-ß-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process of NSCLC. METHODS: We performed quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) to detect the expression level of miR-145 and miR-497 in NSCLC cell lines. Then in the presence/absence of TGF-ß, we transfected miRNA mimics or inhibitor into A549 and H1299 cells and investigated the role of miR-145 and miR-497 in cell migration and invasion using transwell and wound-healing assay. The regulation role of miR-145 and miR-497 on Metadherin (MTDH) was determined by luciferase assay. The expression level of MTDH and EMT markers E-cadherin and vimentin were detected on mRNA and protein level. RESULTS: In our study, our results showed that miR-145 and miR-497 were downregulated in NSCLC cell lines. Overexpression of miR-145 and miR-497 inhibited TGF-ß-induced EMT and suppressed cancer cell migration and invasion, while the opposite results were observed in cells transfected with miR-145 or miR-497 inhibitor. Moreover, the luciferase assay confirmed that miR-145 and miR-497 attenuated MTDH expression by directly binding 3'-UTR of MTDH mRNA and exert the tumor-suppression role. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, we demonstrated that miR-145 and miR-497 functioned as EMT-suppressor in NSCLC by targeting MTDH, provided new evidence that miR-145 and miR-497 as potential therapeutic targets.

[Effect of TRIM59 Expression Interference on Daunorubicin Chemosensitivity of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia K562 Cells and Its Mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of tripipartite motif 59 (TRIM59) expression interference on the chemosensitivity of daunorubicin (DNR) in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) K562 cells and the related molecular mechanism. METHODS: The expressions of TRIM59 mRNA in bone marrow tissues of patients with CML and K562 cells were detected by RT-qPCR. Liposome-based transfection technology was used to transfect TRIM59-specific siRNA (si-TRIM59) into K562 cells which then were treated with DNR. The proliferation and apoptosis of cells were detected by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively, and the expressions of apoptosis-related protein and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway-related protein were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the bone marrow tissue of CML patients at the time of initial treatment, the expression of TRIM59 mRNA in bone marrow tissue of CML patients at the time of chemotherapy resistance was significantly increased (P <0.05). Compared with control group, the cell proliferation inhibition rate and apoptosis rate in si-TRIM59 group and DNR group were significantly increased (P <0.05), the expression of Bax, Caspase3 and Cleaved-Caspase3 protein were significantly increased (P <0.05), while the expressions of Bcl-2, Wnt3α, GSK-3ß protein and the ratio of p-ß-catenin/ß-catenin were significantly decreased (P <0.05). Compared with si-TRIM59 group and DNR group, the proliferation inhibition rate and apoptosis rate of si-TRIM59+DNR group were significantly increased (P <0.05), the expression of Bax, Caspase3 and Cleaved-Caspase3 protein were significantly increased, while the expression of Bcl-2, Wnt3α, GSK-3ß protein and the ratio of p-ß-catenin/ß-catenin were significantly decreased (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: TRIM59 expression interference may enhance the chemosensitivity of K562 cells to DNR, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

Uncovering impaired mitochondrial and lysosomal function in adipose-derived stem cells from obese individuals with altered biological activity.

BACKGROUND: Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have been extensively used in preclinical and clinical trials for treating various diseases. However, the differences between ADSCs from lean individuals (L-ADSCs) and those from obese individuals (O-ADSCs) have not been thoroughly investigated, particularly regarding their mitochondrial and lysosomal functions. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the differences between L-ADSCs and O-ADSCs in terms of cell biological activity, mitochondria, and lysosomes. METHODS: We first isolated and cultured L-ADSCs and O-ADSCs. We then compared the differences between the two groups in terms of biological activity, including cell proliferation, differentiation potential, and their effect on the polarization of macrophages. Additionally, we observed the mitochondrial and lysosomal morphology of ADSCs using an electronic microscope, MitoTracker Red, and lysotracker Red dyes. We assessed mitochondrial function by examining mitochondrial membrane potential and membrane fluidity, antioxidative ability, and cell energy metabolism. Lysosomal function was evaluated by measuring autophagy and phagocytosis. Finally, we performed transcriptome analysis of the ADSCs using RNA sequencing. RESULTS: The biological activities of O-ADSCs were decreased, including cell immunophenotypic profiles, cell proliferation, and differentiation potential. Furthermore, compared to L-ADSCs, O-ADSCs promoted M1-type macrophage polarization and inhibited M2-type macrophage polarization. Additionally, the mitochondrial morphology of O-ADSCs was altered, with the size of the cells becoming smaller and mitochondrial fragments increasing. O-ADSCs also exhibited decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and membrane fluidity, antioxidative ability, and energy metabolism. With respect to lysosomes, O-ADSCs contained ungraded materials in their lysosomes, enhanced lysosomal permeability, and reduced autophagy and phagocytosis ability. RNA sequence analysis indicated that the signalling pathways related to cell senescence, cancer, and inflammation were upregulated, whereas the signalling pathways associated with stemness, cell differentiation, metabolism, and response to stress and stimuli were downregulated. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that ADSCs from individuals (BMI > 30 kg/m2) exhibit impaired mitochondrial and lysosomal function with decreased biological activity.

Heterogeneous expression of ACE2, TMPRSS2, and FURIN at single-cell resolution in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: Considering the high susceptibility of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to COVID-19, we explored the susceptible cell types and potential routes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) by analyzing the expression patterns of the entry receptor angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the spike (S) protein priming proteases transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) and FURIN. METHODS: Single-cell transcriptomic analysis of 14 LUSC and 12 LUAD samples was utilized to exhibit the heterogeneous expression of ACE2, TMPRSS2 and FURIN across different cell subsets and individuals. RESULTS: 12 cell types and 33 cell clusters were identified from 26 cancer samples. ACE2, TMPRSS2 and FURIN were heterogeneously expressed across different patients. Among all cell types, ACE2, TMPRSS2 and FURIN were predominately expressed in cancer cells and alveolar cells, and lowly uncovered in other cells. Compared to LUSC, the protein priming proteases (TMPRSS2 and FURIN) were highly found in LUAD samples. However, ACE2 was not differentially expressed in cancer cells between the two cancer types. Moreover, ACE2, TMPRSS2, and FURIN expressions were not higher in any cell type of smokers than non-smokers. CONCLUSION: Our research first revealed the heterogeneous expression of ACE2, TMPRSS2, and FURIN in different cell subsets of NSCLC and also across different individuals. These results provide insight into the specific cells targeted by SARS-CoV-2 (i.e., cancer cells and alveolar cells) in patients with advanced NSCLC, and indicate that smoking may be not an independent risk factor for NSCLC combined with COVID-19.

Mechanistic insight for improving butenyl-spinosyn production through combined ARTP/UV mutagenesis and ribosome engineering in Saccharopolyspora pogona.

Butenyl-spinosyn is a highly effective, wide-spectrum and environmentally-friendly biological insecticide produced by Saccharopolyspora pogona. However, its scale-up is impeded due to its lower titer in wild-type strains. In this work, ARTP/UV mutagenesis and ribosome engineering were employed to enhance the butenyl-spinosyn production, and a stable mutant Saccharopolyspora pogona aG6 with high butenyl-spinosyn yield was successfully obtained. For the first time, the fermentation results in the 5 L bioreactor demonstrated that the butenyl-spinosyn produced by mutant Saccharopolyspora pogona aG6 reached the maximum value of 130 mg/L, almost 4-fold increase over the wild-type strain WT. Furthermore, comparative genomic, transcriptome and target metabolomic analysis revealed that the accumulation of butenyl-spinosyn was promoted by alterations in ribosomal proteins, branched-chain amino acid degradation and oxidative phosphorylation. Conclusively, the proposed model of ribosome engineering combined with ARTP/UV showed the improved biosynthesis regulation of butenyl-spinosyn in S. pogona.

Long-term antihypertensive effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory peptide LAP.

OBJECTIVE: To study the antihypertensive effects of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory peptide LAP on blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). METHODS: A cohort of 12-week-old SHRs was randomly divided into 2 distinct groups, and ACE-inhibitory peptide LAP (experimental group) or physiological saline (controls) were administered. Caudal arterial blood pressure was then measured at specific time points (0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks). RESULTS: Systolic blood pressure of the SHRs showed a significant decrease after intraperitoneal injection with the ACE-inhibitory peptide LAP. Moreover, this depressurization effect lasted for over 1 month. CONCLUSION: Systolic blood pressure of SHRs could effectively be depressed in the long term by antihypertensive activity mediated by the ACE-inhibitory peptide LAP.

MiR-138-5p suppresses lung adenocarcinoma cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition, proliferation and metastasis by targeting ZEB2.

BACKGROUND: MiR-138-5p is regarded as a tumour suppressor in many cancers. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) often acts as a tumor promotor at the late stages of human cancers. However, the function of miR-138-5p on lung adenocarcinoma cells induced by TGF-ß remains to be further confirmed. METHODS: RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of human lung adenocarcinoma tissues, adjacent normal tissues, and relative cell lines. When the lung adenocarcinoma cells A549 and H1299 were transfected with negative control (NC), miR-138-5p mimics and miR-138-5p inhibitor by lipofectamine3000 and treated with or without TGF-ß1, the lung adenocarcinoma cell function was detected by Immunofluorescence, Western blotting (WB), cell counting Kit-8 (CCK8), colony formation, EdU, Wound-healing and Transwell assays. The relation between miR-138-5p and zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 2 (ZEB2) was detected by RT-qPCR, WB, and Luciferase reporter assays. When ZEB2 was knocked down, the lung adenocarcinoma cell function was detected by WB, CCK8 and Transwell assays. RESULTS: The expression of miR-138-5p was decreased in lung adenocarcinoma tissues and cell lines. When treated with or without TGF-ß1, overexpression of miR-138-5p suppressed EMT, proliferation and metastasis of A549 and H1299. ZEB2 was verified as the direct target of miR-138-5p. Downregulation of ZEB2 suppressed EMT, proliferation and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma cell, which could be reversed by miR-138-5p inhibitor. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-138-5p inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition, growth and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma cells through targeting ZEB2.

[A study of lymphocyte apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress in the development of sepsis and their association with outcome in septic patients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of lymphocyte apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) on the development of sepsis and their association with the prognosis of sepsis patients. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted. Seventy septic patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of Shanghai East Hospital of Tongji University were enrolled. Blood samples were collected on days 1, 3 and 7 to measure percentage of circulating apoptotic lymphocyte with flow cytometry analysis. The relative expressions of endoplasmic reticulum specific glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78) mRNA and transcription factor CHOP mRNA were measured by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The correlation between CHOP mRNA expression and percentage of circulating apoptotic lymphocyte was analyzed by Spearman relative analysis. The patients were divided into death (n = 23) and survival subgroups (n = 47). Twenty healthy volunteers during the same period were selected as the healthy control group. RESULTS: (1) Rate of lymphocyte apoptosis: compared with healthy control group [(2.86±0.66)%], septic patients, either survival or death subgroup, exhibited higher rate of lymphocyte apoptosis on days 1, 3 and 7 [survival subgroup: (12.44±4.43)%, (8.57±3.38)%, (6.78±3.35)%; death subgroup: (14.42±2.01)%, (11.32±2.53)%, (8.87±3.62)%, all P < 0.01], and it was obvious on day 1, and the phenomenon became less marked gradually. The rate of circulating apoptotic lymphocytes did not differ between the death and survival subgroups on day 1, but there was a significant difference in the rate on day 3 and day 7 (both P < 0.05). (2) The expression of CHOP mRNA (2(-ΔΔCt)): compared with that in healthy controls [(2.56±1.09)×10-3], CHOP mRNA expression was increased on days 1, 3 and 7 in septic patients [survival subgroup: (5.83±1.96)×10(-3), (4.24±1.60)×10(-3), (4.15±1.64)×10(-3), death subgroup: (37.20±20.70)×10(-3), (18.80±13.90)×10(-3), (9.28±7.78)×10(-3), all P < 0.01], and it was more obvious in the death subgroup, as it was increased by 6.38, 4.43, and 2.24 folds (P values was 0.000, 0.000, and 0.001), but it decreased rapidly in death subgroup. (3) The expression of GRP78 mRNA (2(-ΔΔCt)): compared with healthy controls [(3.31±2.04)×10(-3)], the expression of GRP78 mRNA in both survival and death subgroups increased in septic patients on day 1 [(5.83±2.00)×10-3, (11.30±6.48)×10(-3), both P < 0.01], and they decreased subsequently. The expression of GRP78 mRNA in the survival subgroup declined to the levels of the healthy control group on day 3 and day 7 [3 days: (3.99±1.60)×10(-3), 7 days: (3.30±1.35)×10(-3), both P > 0.05], and GRP78 mRNA expression in the death subgroup was gradually lowered, but it was still higher than that in the healthy control group [3 days: (7.27±3.64)×10(-3), 7 days: (5.23±1.94)×10(-3), both P < 0.01]. (4) Spearman relative analysis showed that the expression of CHOP mRNA was positively correlated with the rate of lymphocyte apoptosis (r = 0.414, P = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: The increase in the rate of lymphocyte apoptosis and activation of ERS play an important role in the development of sepsis, and it is associated with worse outcome in the septic patients.

Effects and mechanism analysis of combined infusion by levosimendan and vasopressin on acute lung injury in rats septic shock.

This research is aimed to discover the influence and underling mechanism of combined infusion of arginine vasopressin with levosimendan on acute lung injury in rat septic shock with norepinephrine supplemented. The traditional fecal peritonitis-induced septic shock model was undergone in rats for study. It is observed that the combined infusion supplemented with norepinephrine brought about a lower mean pulmonary artery pressure; lower high-mobility group box 1 levels, pulmonary levels of interleukin-6, and arterial total nitrate/nitrite; lower apoptotic cells scores and total histological scores; but higher pulmonary gas exchange when compared with the separate infusion group and norepinephrine group. This therapy shows potential clinical beneficial assistance in sepsis-induced acute lung injury. The results suggest the mechanism of such effect is through abating pulmonary artery pressure, and more importantly suppressing inflammatory responses in lung when compared with norepinephrine infusion group and the separate infusion of levosimendan or vasopressin alone.

BIM induction of apoptosis triggered by EGFR-sensitive and resistance cell lines of non-small-cell lung cancer.

We sought to improve the understanding of oncogene-dependent and independent non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which could provide insight into mechanism of sensitivity and/or resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors or chemotherapeutics. NSCLC cell lines with different EGFR genotypes were used in this study; MTT assay and flow cytometry were applied to study the sensitivities of these cell lines to gefitinib and cisplatin. Western blot was performed to determine the expression levels of BIM and other Bcl-2 family proteins pre- and pro-treatment. Gefitinib provoked apoptosis of caspase activation via the intrinsic pathways and significantly up-regulated expression of BIM protein in drug-sensitive PC-9 cell line, but not resistant PC-9/BB4 cell line. The knockdown of BIM expression by RNA interference virtually eliminated gefitinib-induced cell killing in PC-9 cells in vitro. Cisplatin could induce apoptosis of the cell lines, including H1299, A549, PC-9, and PC-9/BB4 cells, but which was not associated with overexpression of BIM. BIM is involved in TKI-induced apoptosis in sensitive EGFR-mutant cell line. Down-regulation of BIM and resistance to gefitinib were both seen in the acquired resistant PC-9/BB4 cell line. The induction of BIM may have a role in the treatment of TKI-resistant tumors.

[Expression of lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1 in human colorectal cancer and its clinical significance].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the expression of lymph vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1 (LYVE-1) in human colorectal carcinoma and to evaluate the relationship of LYVE-1 with lymph mode metastasis and prognosis. METHODS: Colonic cancer samples of 40 cases were collected. The expression of LYVE-1 was determined by RT-PCR and quantified by real-time quantitative PCR. LVD and MVD were detected by immunohistochemistry staining. The relationship of LYVE-1 and LVD with lymph mode metastasis and prognosis were analyzed. All the patients were followed up for at least 3 years. RESULTS: The expression of LYVE-1 and the count of LVD were significantly higher in tumor tissue than those in common colon tissue (P<0.05). In the majority of tumors, the higher count of LVD indicated lymphangiogenesis. The recurrence rates in low LVD group and high LVD group were 46.7% and 60.0% respectively (P<0.05). The survival rates in the above two groups were 90.1% and 56.7% respectively (P<0.05). No significant correlation was found between LYVE-1 and recurrence rate (P>0.05) or overall survival (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: LYVE-1 indicates an increase of lymphangiogenesis in colorectal carcinoma and LVD can be used to evaluate the prognosis for colorectal cancer patients.