The chemokine CCL1 triggers an AMFR-SPRY1 pathway that promotes differentiation of lung fibroblasts into myofibroblasts and drives pulmonary fibrosis.

Recruitment of immune cells to the site of inflammation by the chemokine CCL1 is important in the pathology of inflammatory diseases. Here, we examined the role of CCL1 in pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from PF mouse models contained high amounts of CCL1, as did lung biopsies from PF patients. Immunofluorescence analyses revealed that alveolar macrophages and CD4+ T cells were major producers of CCL1 and targeted deletion of Ccl1 in these cells blunted pathology. Deletion of the CCL1 receptor Ccr8 in fibroblasts limited migration, but not activation, in response to CCL1. Mass spectrometry analyses of CCL1 complexes identified AMFR as a CCL1 receptor, and deletion of Amfr impaired fibroblast activation. Mechanistically, CCL1 binding triggered ubiquitination of the ERK inhibitor Spry1 by AMFR, thus activating Ras-mediated profibrotic protein synthesis. Antibody blockade of CCL1 ameliorated PF pathology, supporting the therapeutic potential of targeting this pathway for treating fibroproliferative lung diseases.

Targeting Degradation of the Transcription Factor C/EBPß Reduces Lung Fibrosis by Restoring Activity of the Ubiquitin-Editing Enzyme A20 in Macrophages.

Although recent progress provides mechanistic insights into the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis (PF), rare anti-PF therapeutics show definitive promise for treating this disease. Repeated lung epithelial injury results in injury-repairing response and inflammation, which drive the development of PF. Here, we report that chronic lung injury inactivated the ubiquitin-editing enzyme A20, causing progressive accumulation of the transcription factor C/EBPß in alveolar macrophages (AMs) from PF patients and mice, which upregulated a number of immunosuppressive and profibrotic factors promoting PF development. In response to chronic lung injury, elevated glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß) interacted with and phosphorylated A20 to suppress C/EBPß degradation. Ectopic expression of A20 or pharmacological restoration of A20 activity by disturbing the A20-GSK-3ß interaction accelerated C/EBPß degradation and showed potent therapeutic efficacy against experimental PF. Our study indicates that a regulatory mechanism of the GSK-3ß-A20-C/EBPß axis in AMs may be a potential target for treating PF and fibroproliferative lung diseases.

Multi-modal optimization to identify personalized biomarkers for disease prediction of individual patients with cancer.

Finding personalized biomarkers for disease prediction of patients with cancer remains a massive challenge in precision medicine. Most methods focus on one subnetwork or module as a network biomarker; however, this ignores the early warning capabilities of other modules with different configurations of biomarkers (i.e. multi-modal personalized biomarkers). Identifying such modules would not only predict disease but also provide effective therapeutic drug target information for individual patients. To solve this problem, we developed a novel model (denoted multi-modal personalized dynamic network biomarkers (MMPDNB)) based on a multi-modal optimization mechanism and personalized dynamic network biomarker (PDNB) theory, which can provide multiple modules of personalized biomarkers and unveil their multi-modal properties. Using the genomics data of patients with breast or lung cancer from The Cancer Genome Atlas database, we validated the effectiveness of the MMPDNB model. The experimental results showed that compared with other advanced methods, MMPDNB can more effectively predict the critical state with the highest early warning signal score during cancer development. Furthermore, MMPDNB more significantly identified PDNBs containing driver and biomarker genes specific to cancer tissues. More importantly, we validated the biological significance of multi-modal PDNBs, which could provide effective drug targets of individual patients as well as markers for predicting early warning signals of the critical disease state. In conclusion, multi-modal optimization is an effective method to identify PDNBs and offers a new perspective for understanding tumor heterogeneity in cancer precision medicine.

27-Hydroxycholesterol inhibits trophoblast fusion during placenta development by activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

Trophoblast cell syncytialization is essential for placental and fetal development. Abnormal trophoblast cell fusion leads to pregnancy pathologies, such as preeclampsia (PE), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and miscarriage. 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-OHC) is the most abundant oxysterol in human peripheral blood synthesized by sterol 27-hydroxylase (CYP27A1) and is considered a critical mediator between hypercholesterolemia and a variety of related disorders. Gestational hypercholesterolemia was associated with spontaneous preterm delivery and low birth weight (LBW) in term infants, yet the mechanism is unclear. In this study, two trophoblast cell models and CD-1 mice were used to evaluate the effects of 27-OHC on trophoblast fusion during placenta development. Two different kinds of trophoblast cells received a dosage of 2.5, 5, or 10 uM 27-OHC. Three groups of pregnant mice were randomly assigned: control, full treatment (E0.5-E17.5), or late treatment (E13.5-E17.5). All mice received daily intraperitoneal injections of saline (control group) and 27-OHC (treatment group; 5.5 mg/kg). In vitro experiments, we found that 27-OHC inhibited trophoblast cell fusion in primary human trophoblasts (PHT) and forskolin (FSK)-induced BeWo cells. 27-OHC up-regulated the expression of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway-related proteins. Moreover, the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 rescued the inhibitory effect of 27-OHC. Inhibition of trophoblast cell fusion by 27-OHC was also observed in CD-1 mice. Furthermore, fetal weight and placental efficiency decreased and fetal blood vessel development was inhibited in pregnant mice treated with 27-OHC. This study was the first to prove that 27-OHC inhibits trophoblast cell fusion by Activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. This study reveals a novel mechanism by which dyslipidemia during pregnancy results in adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Nuclear Binding Protein 2/Nesfatin-1 Affects Trophoblast Cell Fusion during Placental Development via the EGFR-PLCG1-CAMK4 Pathway.

Previous studies have shown that nuclear binding protein 2 (NUCB2) is expressed in the human placenta and increases with an increase in the syncytialization of trophoblast cells. This study aimed to investigate the role of NUCB2 in the differentiation and fusion of trophectoderm cells. In this study, the expression levels of NUCB2 and E-cadherin in the placentas of rats at different gestation stages were investigated. The results showed that there was an opposite trend between the expression of placental NUCB2 and E-cadherin in rat placentas in different trimesters. When primary human trophoblast (PHT) and BeWo cells were treated with high concentrations of Nesfatin-1, the trophoblast cell syncytialization was significantly inhibited. The effects of NUCB2 knockdown in BeWo cells and Forskolin-induced syncytialization were investigated. These cells showed a significantly decreased cell fusion rate. The mechanism underlying NUCB2-regulated trophoblast cell syncytialization was explored using RNA-Seq and the results indicated that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-phospholipase C gamma 1 (PLCG1)-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV (CAMK4) pathway might be involved. The results suggested that the placental expression of NUCB2 plays an important role in the fusion of trophoblasts during differentiation via the EGFR-PLCG1-CAMK4 pathway.

Fe1-xNix(PO3)2/Ni2P Heterostructure for Boosting Alkaline Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Fresh Water and Real Seawater at High Current Density.

Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a limiting reaction for highly efficient water electrolysis. Thus, the development of cost-effective and highly efficient OER catalysts is the key to large-scale water electrolysis for hydrogen production. Herein, by using an interfacial engineering strategy, a unique nanoflower-like Fe1-xNix(PO3)2/Ni2P/NF heterostructure with abundant heterogeneous interfaces is successfully fabricated. The catalyst exhibits excellent OER catalytic activity in alkaline fresh water and alkaline natural seawater at high current densities, which only, respectively, requires overpotentials of 318 and 367 mV to drive 1000 mA cm-2 in fresh water and natural seawater both containing 1 M KOH. Furthermore, Fe1-xNix(PO3)2/Ni2P/NF demonstrates excellent durability, which can basically remain stable for 80 h during the electrocatalytic OER processes, respectively, in alkaline fresh water and natural seawater. This work provides a new construction strategy for designing highly efficient electrocatalysts for OER at high current densities both in alkaline fresh water and in natural seawater.

Jatrophane Diterpenoids with Kv1.3 Ion Channel Inhibitory Effects from Euphorbia helioscopia.

Chemical investigation of bioactive components from the whole plant of Euphorbia helioscopia resulted in the isolation and identification of 17 new jatrophane diterpenoids, namely, heliojatrone D (1) and helioscopids A-P (2-17), along with 11 known analogues (18-28). The structural elucidation of the new diterpenoids was achieved by the comprehensive analysis of HRESIMS, NMR, and X-ray crystallographic data, as well as using electronic circular dichroism. Structurally, heliojatone D (1) is the fourth natural diterpenoid with a rare bicyclo[8.3.0]tridecane skeleton. The inhibitory effect of the isolated diterpenoids against Kv1.3 ion channels was evaluated in a human embryonic kidney 293 cell model transfected with plasmid encoding Kv1.3, resulting in the identification of a series of potent Kv1.3 ion channel inhibitors, with the most active ones (2 and 15) showing IC50 values of 0.9 µM.

Brujavanoids A-U, structurally diverse apotirucallane-type triterpenoids from Brucea javanica and their anti-inflammatory effects.

Extensive phytochemical investigation on the methanol extract of the inflorescences, twigs, and leaves of Brucea javanica led to the isolation and identification of 27 triterpenoids, including 21 previously undescribed ones, named brujavanoids A-U (1-21). Their structures were determined based on comprehensive spectroscopic analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Of these compounds, brujavanoid A (1) represents the first apotirucallane-type triterpenoid with a novel 19(10 â†’ 9)abeo motif, and brujavanoids B and C (2-3) are the first apotirucallane-type triterpenoids with a rarely occurring 14-hydorxy-15,16-epoxy fragment. All the isolates were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory effect in an LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells model. Furthermore, the most active one, brujavanoid E (5), can suppress the transcriptional expression of typical pro-inflammatory mediators and inhibit the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 in the LPS- activated RAW264.7 cells.

Sesquiterpenoids from Ixeris sonchifolia and their neuroprotective activities.

The phytochemical investigation of the methanol extract of Ixeris sonchifolia led to the isolation and identification of nine analogs, including one new guaiane-type sesquiterpenoid, named ixerinoid A (1). The structure of 1 was determined by extensive analysis of the 1 D and 2 D nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic data, as well as quantum chemical calculations. Additionally, all the isolates were tested for their neuroprotective activity using the oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion-induced SH-SY5Y cell injury model. Compounds 3, 5, 6, 8, and 9 displayed remarkable protective effects at concentrations of 1, 5, and 10 µM, respectively.

Chiral Yolk-Shell MOF as an Efficient Nanoreactor for Asymmetric Catalysis in Organic-Aqueous Two-Phase System.

It remains a great challenge to introduce large and efficient homogeneous asymmetric catalysts into MOFs and other microporous materials as well as retain their degrees of freedom. Herein, a new heterogeneous strategy of homogeneous chiral catalysts is proposed, that is, to construct a yolk-shell MOFs-confined, large-size, and highly efficient homogeneous chiral catalyst, which can be used as a nanoreactor for asymmetric catalytic reactions.

Structurally diverse alkaloids from Buxus sempervirens with cardioprotective activity.

Extensive phytochemical study of the methanol extract of twigs and leaves of Buxus sempervirens resulted in the identification of 17 Buxus alkaloids, including 12 new ones, namely buxusemines A-L (1-12). Their structures were delineated by detailed analysis of the HRESIMS and NMR data, as well as quantum chemical NMR calculations. Buxusemine A (1) represents the second Buxus alkaloid with a unique spiro[4.6]undecatriene moiety, buxusemines B-C (2-3) are a rarely occurring class of Buxus alkaloids featured with an additional five-membered ring through the ether or lactone linkage between C-10 and C-23, and buxusemines D-F (4-6) are another rare type of Buxus alkaloids with an epoxy motif. In the assessment of their bioactivities, buxusemine F (6) and buxanoldine (17) displayed more potent protective effects than the positive control cyclovirobuxinum D in the doxorubicin-induced cardiac injury model.

Stelleranoids A-M, guaiane-type sesquiterpenoids based on [5,7] bicyclic system from Stellera chamaejasme and their cytotoxic activity.

Thirteen previously undescribed guaiane-type sesquiterpenoids based on [5,7] bicyclic system, stelleranoids A-M (1-13), along with six known analogues (14-20), were isolated from the roots of Stellera chamaejasme with chromatographic techniques. Their structures including absolute configurations were determined by HRESIMS and spectroscopic data, quantum chemical calculations, as well as X-ray crystallographic analysis. Cytotoxicity test in three cell lines indicated that compound 14 had relatively stronger cytotoxic effect against MKN-45, SKOV3, and Du145 cell lines with IC50 of 9.8, 17.4 and 7.3 µM, respectively; compounds 3 and 8 displayed moderate cytotoxic effect against MKN-45 and Du145 cell lines with IC50 ranged from 14.5 to 18.8 µM, comparable to those of the positive control. As determined by fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry in Du145 cell line, compound 14 could promote cell apoptosis and cause cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase, leading to the inhibition of cell proliferation. Further Western blot analysis revealed that this inhibitory effect was accompanied by upregulating pro-apoptosis proteins cleaved-PARP, cleaved-Caspase-9 and tumor suppressor protein p53 while downregulating anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in 14-treated Du145 cells.

Autophagic Flux Detection: Significance and Methods Involved.

Macroautophagy is an important biological process in eukaryotic cells by which longevity proteins, misfolded proteins, and damaged organelles are degraded. The autophagy process consists of three key steps: (1) the formation of autophagosomes; (2) the fusion of the autophagosomes with lysosomes; and (3) the degradation of the contents of autolysosomes. If any of the three steps is impaired, autophagy will not be able to complete its biological function. Dysfunctional or blocked autophagy is closely involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases. The accurate determination of the autophagy activity in vivo and in vitro has become a challenge in the field of autophagy research. At present, the most widely used detection method to determine autophagy activity in mammalian cells is to quantify LC3B in the cells by Western blot, or to observe the formation and changes of autophagosomes and autolysosomes by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. However, ignoring the dynamic characteristics of autophagy and only evaluating the number of autophagosomes or the presence of LC3B cannot completely reflect the activation or a blockage of the autophagy system, and objectively analyze its real role in the occurrence and development of a disease. For example, the accumulation of autophagosomes and autolysosomes can occur through an increase in substrate to be degraded after the activation of autophagy, or it may be caused by the partial obstruction or blockage of autophagy. In this chapter, new and familiar ways to detect the autophagic flux are methodically summarized to provide researchers with a multi-angled viewpoint.

[Using Immunohistochemical Markers and Clinicopathological Factors to Predict the Prognostic Survival of Different Types of Endometrial Cancer Recurrence].

OBJECTIVE: To probe for factors that can be used effectively to predict the prognostic survival of patients with endometrial cancer recurrence. METHODS: The clinicopathological data of 473 patients with stage Ⅰ to Ⅲ endometrial cancer who underwent standard surgical treatment from October 2013 to May 2019 were retrospectively collected, and post-operative recurrence of the patients were followed up. Overall recurrence includes local recurrence and poor prognosis recurrence. The endpoint indicators of this study are the recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients with overall recurrence, local recurrence, and poor prognosis recurrence (PPR). The Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to evaluate the OS and RFS of patients. Cox proportional-hazards model was used to identify factors affecting the prognostic survival of patients with endometrial cancer recurrence. RESULTS: Among the 473 patients, 406 did not experience recurrence. A total of 67 patients, accounting for 14.2%, had recurrence. Among them, 27 had local recurrence, accounting for 5.7%, while 40 had poor prognosis recurrence, accounting for 8.5%. The median follow-up time of patients with recurrence was 38 months. The survival curve showed that the RFS and OS of the patients in the recurrence-free group remained unchanged, while the patients in the recurrence group, regardless of whether they had overall recurrence, local recurrence or PPR, experienced a decrease in RFS and OS( P<0.001). The overall 3-year OS rate of patients with recurrence was 44.8%, the median survival time was 29 months, and the median recurrence time was 17 months. The 3-year OS rate of patients in the recurrence-free group was 98.8%, and the median survival time was 40 months; the 3-year OS rate of patients with local recurrence was 59.3%, the median survival time was 27 months, and the median recurrence time was 15 months. The 3-year OS rate of patients with PPR was only 35.0%, the median survival time was 22 months, and the median recurrence time was 10 months. The results of multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that, for overall recurrence patients, FIGO stage Ⅲ (hazard ratio ( HR)=3.432, P=0.005), increased expression of K-i67 ( HR=1.015, P=0.025), and decreased expression of estrogen receptor (ER) ( HR=0.985, P=0.005) are independent factors for the decline in RFS, FIGO stage Ⅲ ( HR=4.918, P=0.005) and the decreased expression of progesterone receptor (PR) ( HR=0.977, P=0.003) are independent factors for the decrease in OS. For patients with local recurrence, special pathological types ( HR=2.545, P=0.049) and increased expression of Ki-67 ( HR=1.024, P=0.033) are independent factors influencing the decrease in RFS, while decreased expression of PR ( HR=0.973, P=0.009) is an independent risk factor for decreased OS. For patients with PPR, FIGO stage Ⅲ ( HR=5.977, P=0.002) and decreased ER expression ( HR=0.984, P=0.023) are independent risk factors for the decline in RFS, while FIGO stage Ⅲ ( HR=10.098, P=0.001) is an independent factor influencing the decline of OS. CONCLUSION: FIGO stage Ⅲ, increased Ki-67 expression, and decreased ER expression can increase patients' risk of postoperative recurrence, and FIGO stage Ⅲ and decreased expression of PR can increase the risk of death in patients with recurrence.

TRIB3 Interacts With ß-Catenin and TCF4 to Increase Stem Cell Features of Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells and Tumorigenesis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Activation of Wnt signaling to ß-catenin contributes to the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). Expression of tribbles pseudo-kinase 3 (TRIB3) is increased in some colorectal tumors and associated with poor outcome. We investigated whether increased TRIB3 expression promotes stem cell features of CRC cells and tumor progression by interacting with the Wnt signaling pathway. METHODS: We performed studies with C57BL/6J-ApcMin/J mice injected with an adeno-associated virus vector that expresses a small hairpin RNA against Trib3 mRNA (ApcMin/J-Trib3KD) or a control vector (ApcMin/J-Ctrl). We created BALB/c mice that overexpress TRIB3 from an adeno-associated virus vector and mice with small hairpin RNA-mediated knockdown of ß-catenin. The mice were given azoxymethane followed by dextran sodium sulfate to induce colitis-associated cancer. Intestinal tissues were collected and analyzed by histology, gene expression profiling, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5)-positive (LGR5Pos) and LGR5-negative (LGR5Neg) HCT-8 CRC cells, with or without knockdown or transgenic expression of TRIB3, were sorted and analyzed in sphere-formation assays. We derived organoids from human and mouse colorectal tumors to analyze the function of TRIB3 and test the effect of a peptide inhibitor. Wnt signaling to ß-catenin was analyzed in dual luciferase reporter, chromatin precipitation, immunofluorescence, and immunoblot assays. Proteins that interact with TRIB3 were identified by immunoprecipitation. CRC cell lines were grown in nude mice as xenograft tumors. RESULTS: At 10 weeks of age, more than half the ApcMin/J-Ctrl mice developed intestinal high-grade epithelial neoplasia, whereas ApcMin/J-Trib3KD mice had no intestinal polyps and normal histology. Colon tissues from ApcMin/J-Trib3KD mice expressed lower levels of genes regulated by ß-catenin and genes associated with cancer stem cells. Mice with overexpression of Trib3 developed more tumors after administration of azoxymethane and dextran sodium sulfate than BALB/c mice. Mice with knockdown of ß-catenin had a lower tumor burden after administration of azoxymethane and dextran sodium sulfate, regardless of Trib3 overexpression. Intestinal tissues from mice with overexpression of Trib3 and knockdown of ß-catenin did not have activation of Wnt signaling or expression of genes regulated by ß-catenin. LGR5Pos cells sorted from HCT-8 cells expressed higher levels of TRIB3 than LGR5Neg cells. CRC cells that overexpressed TRIB3 had higher levels of transcription by ß-catenin and formed larger spheroids than control CRC cells; knockdown of ß-catenin prevented the larger organoid size caused by TRIB3 overexpression. TRIB3 interacted physically with ß-catenin and transcription factor 4 (TCF4). TRIB3 overexpression increased, and TRIB3 knockdown decreased, recruitment of TCF4 and ß-catenin to the promoter region of genes regulated by Wnt. Activated ß-catenin increased expression of TRIB3, indicating a positive-feedback loop. A peptide (P2-T3A6) that bound ß-catenin disrupted its interaction with TRIB3 and TCF4. In primary CRC cells and HCT-8 cells, P2-T3A6 decreased expression of genes regulated by ß-catenin and genes associated with cancer stem cells and decreased cell viability and migration. Injection of C57BL/6J-ApcMin/J mice with P2-T3A6 decreased the number and size of tumor nodules and colon expression of genes regulated by ß-catenin. P2-T3A6 increased 5-fluorouracil-induced death of CRC cells and survival times of mice with xenograft tumors. CONCLUSION: TRIB3 interacts with ß-catenin and TCF4 in intestine cells to increase expression of genes associated with cancer stem cells. Knockdown of TRIB3 decreases colon neoplasia in mice, migration of CRC cells, and their growth as xenograft tumors in mice. Strategies to block TRIB3 activity might be developed for treatment of CRC.

Tanshinol alleviates impaired bone formation by inhibiting adipogenesis via KLF15/PPARγ2 signaling in GIO rats.

Glucocorticoid (GC)-induced osteoporosis (GIO) is characterized by impaired bone formation, which can be alleviated by tanshinol, an aqueous polyphenol isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. In this study we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying GC-induced modulation of osteogenesis as well as the possibility of using tanshinol to interfere with GIO. Female SD rats aged 4 months were orally administered distilled water (Con), prednisone (GC, 5 mg·kg-1·d-1), GC plus tanshinol (Tan, 16 mg·kg-1·d-1) or GC plus resveratrol (Res, 5 mg·kg-1·d-1) for 14 weeks. After the rats were sacrificed, samples of bone tissues were collected. The changes in bone formation were assessed using Micro-CT, histomorphometry, and biomechanical assays. Expression of Kruppel-like factor 15 (KLF15), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ 2 (PPARγ 2) and other signaling proteins in skeletal tissue was measured with Western blotting and quantitative RT-PCR. GC treatment markedly increased the expression of KLF15, PPARγ2, C/EBPα and aP2, which were related to adipogenesis, upregulated FoxO3a pathway proteins (FoxO3a and Gadd45a), and suppressed the canonical Wnt signaling (ß-catenin and Axin2), which was required for osteogenesis. Thus, GC significantly decreased bone mass and bone quality. Co-treatment with Tan or Res effectively counteracted GC-impaired bone formation, suppressed GC-induced adipogenesis, and restored abnormal expression of the signaling molecules in GIO rats. We conclude that tanshinol counteracts GC-decreased bone formation by inhibiting marrow adiposity via the KLF15/PPARγ2/FoxO3a/Wnt pathway.

Stomatin-like protein 2 is involved in endometrial stromal cell proliferation and differentiation during decidualization in mice and humans.

The molecular mechanisms underlying endometrial stromal cell proliferation and differentiation (decidualization) are still not fully understood. This study revealed that increased Slp-2 expression is a significant factor modulating endometrial stromal cell proliferation and decidualization in both mice and humans. Our results showed a significant difference in the mRNA and protein levels between the implantation site and inter-implantation site on day 5 and day 6 of pregnancy in mice (all P < 0.05). Strong Slp-2 immunostaining was mainly localized within the decidual zone of mice through the post-implantation period. Mice with artificially induced deciduoma showed significantly higher expression of Slp-2 compared with uninduced controls (P < 0.005). Human stromal cells in the middle and late-secretory phases demonstrated significantly (all P < 0.05) upregulated SLP-2, compared with cells in the proliferative phase and early secretory phases. Further analyses of the SLP-2 gene knocked down revealed a significant (P < 0.005) repression of both the decidualization marker gene's expression (decidual/trophoblast prolactin-related protein in mice, insulin-like growth factor binding protein and prolactin in human) and the cell proliferation in in vitro-induced decidualized primary endometrial stromal cells in mice and humans.

Methylated oligonucleotide (MON)-induced promoter hypermethylation is associated with repression of CDH1 expression and contributes to the migration and invasion of human trophoblast cell lines.

DNA cytosine-5 methylation plays a vital role in regulating the expression of E-cadherin, which is encoded by the CDH1 gene. In this study, we characterised the DNA methylation and expression pattern of CDH1 in an extravillous trophoblast cell line (HTR-8/SVneo) and two trophoblast cell lines -- JEG-3 and JAR. Promoter hypermethylation with reduced E-cadherin expression in HTR-8/SVneo cells and promoter hypomethylation with increased E-cadherin expression in JEG-3 and JAR cells were observed. Demethylation treatment significantly restored E-cadherin expression, contributing to decreases in the motility and invasiveness of HTR-8/SVneo cells. Sense-methylated oligonucleotides (MONs) labelled with Cy5 and complementary to a region of the human CDH1 promoter were designed, with the cytosines in 5'-cytosine-phosphate-guanine-3' (CpG) dinucleotides being replaced by methylated cytosines. Following MON transfection into JEG-3 cells, the level of CDH1 promoter DNA methylation as well as cell motility and invasiveness were increased and gene expression was significantly repressed. Our results indicate that MON-mediated DNA methylation of the CDH1 promoter and subsequent alterations in gene expression may contribute to trophoblast motility and invasion, suggesting a potential method for controlling the biological function of trophoblasts in vitro through epigenetic modification.

Seeking new anti-cancer agents from autophagy-regulating natural products.

Natural products are an important original source of many widely used drugs, including anti-cancer drugs. Early research efforts for seeking anti-cancer therapy from the natural products are mainly focused on the compounds with cytotoxicity capability. The good examples include vinblastine, vincristine, the camptothecin derivatives; topotecan, irinotecan, epipodophyllotoxin derivatives and paclitaxel. In a recent decade, the fundamental progression has been made in the understanding of molecular and cellular mechanisms regarding tumor initiation, metastasis, therapeutic resistance, immune escape, and relapse, which provide a great opportunity for the development of new mechanism-based anticancer drugs, especially drugs against new molecular and cellular targets. Autophagy, a critical cell homeostasis mechanism and promising drug target involved in a verity of human diseases including cancer, can be modulated by many compounds derived from natural products. In this review, we'll give a short introduction of autophagy and discuss the roles of autophagy in the tumorigenesis and progression. And then, we summarize the accumulated evidences to show the anti-tumor effects of several compounds derived from natural products through modulation of autophagy activity.