Antiviral therapy reduces hepatocellular carcinoma through suppressing hepatitis B virus replication may improve ER stress, mitochondrial and metabolic dysfunctions and decrease p62 in hybridized mice with single HBV transgene and miR-122.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) hijacks autophagy for its replication. Nucleos(t)ide analogs (NUCs) treatment suppressed HBV replication and reduced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence. However, the use of NUCs in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with normal or minimally elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels is still debated. Animal models are crucial for studying the unanswered issue and evaluating new therapies. MicroRNA-122 (miR-122), which regulates fatty acid and cholesterol metabolism, is downregulated during hepatitis and HCC progression. The reciprocal inhibition of miR-122 with HBV highlights its role in HCC development as a tumor suppressor. By crossbreeding HBV-transgenic mice with miR-122 knockout mice, we generated a hybrid mouse model with a high incidence of HCC up to 89% and normal ALT levels before HCC. The model exhibited early-onset hepatic steatosis, progressive liver fibrosis, and impaired late-phase autophagy. Metabolomics and microarray analysis identified metabolic signatures, including dysregulation of lipid metabolism, inflammation, genomic instability, the Warburg effect, reduced TCA cycle flux, energy deficiency, and impaired free radical scavenging. Antiviral treatment reduced HCC incidence in hybrid mice by approximately 30-35% compared to untreated mice. This effect was linked to the activation of ER stress-responsive transcription factor ATF4, clearance of autophagosome cargo p62, and suppression of the CHOP-mediated apoptosis pathway. In summary, this study suggests that despite minimal ALT elevation, HBV replication can lead to liver injury. Endoplasmic reticulum stress, reduced miR-122 levels, mitochondrial and metabolic dysfunctions, blocking protective autophagy resulting in p62 accumulation, apoptosis, fibrosis, and HCC. Antiviral may improve the above-mentioned pathogenesis through HBV suppression.

Clinical Implications of HBV PreS/S Mutations and the Effects of PreS2 Deletion on Mitochondria, Liver Fibrosis, and Cancer Development.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: PreS mutants of HBV have been reported to be associated with HCC. We conducted a longitudinal study of the role of HBV preS mutations in the development of HCC, particularly in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) having low HBV DNA or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, and investigated the effects of secretion-defective preS2 deletion mutant (preS2ΔMT) on hepatocyte damage in vitro and liver fibrosis in vivo. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Association of preS mutations with HCC in 343 patients with CHB was evaluated by a retrospective case-control follow-up study. Effects of preS2ΔMT on HBsAg retention, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, calcium accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and liver fibrosis were examined. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant association of preS mutations with HCC (HR, 3.210; 95% CI, 1.072-9.613; P = 0.037) including cases with low HBV DNA or ALT levels (HR, 2.790; 95% CI, 1.133-6.873; P = 0.026). Antiviral therapy reduced HCC risk, including cases with preS mutations. PreS2ΔMT expression promoted HBsAg retention in the ER and unfolded protein response (UPR). Transmission electron microscopic examination, MitoTracker staining, real-time ATP assay, and calcium staining of preS2ΔMT-expressing cells revealed aberrant ER and mitochondrial ultrastructure, reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production, and calcium overload. Serum HBV secretion levels were ~100-fold lower in preS2ΔMT-infected humanized Fah-/-/ Rag2-/-/Il2rg-/- triple knockout mice than in wild-type HBV-infected mice. PreS2ΔMT-infected mice displayed up-regulation of UPR and caspase-3 and enhanced liver fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: PreS mutations were significantly associated with HCC development in patients with CHB, including those with low HBV DNA or ALT levels. Antiviral therapy reduced HCC occurrence in patients with CHB, including those with preS mutations. Intracellular accumulation of mutated HBsAg induced or promoted ER stress, calcium overload, mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired energy metabolism, liver fibrosis, and HCC.

Runx1-deficient afferents impair visceral nociception, exacerbating dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis.

Colitis is a group of inflammatory and auto-immune disorders that affect the tissue lining of the gastrointestinal (GI) system. Studies of chemically-induced animal models of colitis have indicated that nociceptive afferents or neuropeptides have differing effects on GI inflammation. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in visceral pain and the role of visceral sensory afferents involved in the modulation of colitis remains unclear. A previous study demonstrated that Runx1, a Runt domain transcription factor, is restricted to nociceptors. In these neurons, Runx1 regulates the expression of numerous ion channels and receptors, controlling the lamina-specific innervation patterns of nociceptive afferents in the spinal cord. Moreover, mice that lack Runx1 exhibit specific defects in thermal and neuropathic pain. To examine the function of Runx1 in visceral nociception, we employed double-transgenic mice (WntCre: Runx1(F/F)), in which the expression of Runx1 was specifically disrupted in the sensory neurons. To determine the role of Runx1 in visceral pain sensation, the WntCre: Runx1(F/F) mice and their control littermates (Runx1(F/F)) were treated using dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) to induce colitis. The results indicated that disrupted Runx1 in the sensory afferents resulted in: (1) impairment of the visceral pain sensation in murine DSS-induced colitis; (2) exacerbating the phenotypes in murine DSS-induced colitis; (3) a differential effect on the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the colon tissues isolated from mice treated using DSS and 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis; and (4) alteration of the distribution of lymphocytes and mast cells in mucosa. These results show that the function of Runx1 in sensory afferents is vital for modulating visceral pain and the neuro-immune axis.

The cyclooxygenase-2 upregulation mediates production of PGE2 autacoid to positively regulate interleukin-6 secretion in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and polyp-derived fibroblasts.

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) can be traditionally classified as CRSwNP [with nasal polyps (NPs)] and CRSsNP (without NPs) based on the clinical phenotypes but recently suggested to be classified by the endotypes. We have identified overexpression of the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene in NP tissues of Taiwanese CRSwNP patients. Therefore, in this study, we sought to investigate its protein expression/location/distribution in NP specimens and explore its roles in nasal polyposis. The COX-2 protein and mRNA expression was found higher in NPs than that in the control and CRSsNP patients' nasal tissues, mainly located at the epithelium and subepithelial stroma. Consistently, the CRS-related peptidoglycan (PGN) and bradykinin provoked COX-2 mRNA and protein upregulation in the human NP-derived fibroblasts and caused PGE2, thromboxane A2 (TXA2), and interleukin (IL-6) secretion in culture medium. Further analysis revealed that the PI3K/Akt activation and COX-2 induction were necessarily required for PGN-induced IL-6 production/secretion and the induced PGE2, but not TXA2, was speculated to affect IL-6 protein trafficking and production. Finally, the IL-6 increase observed in vitro could also be detected in NP tissues. Collectively, we demonstrated here that COX-2 protein and IL-6 are overexpressed in human NP tissues. In response to PGN challenge, the PI3K/Akt activation and COX-2-mediated PGE2 autacoid correlates with extracellular IL-6 protein trafficking/production in NP-derived fibroblasts, which can additionally contribute to the production of Th17-related cytokines such as IL-17 and TNF-α. This study also suggests COX-2 as a special biomarker for CRSwNP endotyping and may highlight the importance of COX-2 inhibitors in treating CRSwNP.

Disrupting the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis disturbs the characteristics of glioblastoma stem-like cells of rat RG2 glioblastoma.

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSC) have been shown to promote tumor growth, tumor-associated neovascularization, therapeutic resistance, and metastasis. CXCR4 receptors have been found involved in the proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, and drug-resistant characteristics of glioblastoma. However, the role of CXCR4 in modulating the stem-like cell properties of rat glioblastoma remains ambiguous. METHODS: To explore the role of the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis in maintaining rat GSC properties, we disrupted the CXCR4 signaling by using small hairpin interfering RNA (shRNA). To investigate the role of the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis in maintaining rat GSC properties, we used a spheroid formation assay to assess the stem cell self-renewal properties. A western blot analysis and PCR arrays were used to examine the genes involved in proliferation, self-renewal, and cancer drug resistance. Finally, DNA content and flow cytometry, an immunohistochemical analysis, and methylcellulose colony formation, in vitro invasive and intracranial injection xenograft assays were employed to examine the disruptive effect of CXCR4 on the characteristics of GSCs of the RG2 cell line. RESULTS: Disrupting CXCR4 inhibited the proliferation of RG2 cells both in vitro and in vivo. The spheroid formation assay indicated that CXCR4 was vital for the self-renewal of RG2 GSCs. Disrupting the CXCL12/CXCR4 pathway also reduced the expression of GSC cell markers, including Nestin, ABCG2, and musashi (Msi), and the expression of genes involved in regulating stem cell properties, including Oct4, Nanog, maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK), MGMT, VEGF, MMP2, and MMP9. CONCLUSION: The chemokine receptor CXCR4 is crucial for maintaining the self-renewal, proliferation, therapeutic resistance, and angiogenesis of GSCs of rat RG2 glioblastoma.

Vascular endothelial growth factor induces CXCL1 chemokine release via JNK and PI-3K-dependent pathways in human lung carcinoma epithelial cells.

Lung cancer cells express different chemokines and chemokine receptors that modulate leukocyte infiltration within tumor microenvironment. In this study we screened several mediators/growth factors on CXCL1 release in human carcinoma epithelial cells. Of the tested mediators, VEGF was found to have a robust increase in causing CXCL1 release. VEGF stimulated CXCL1 release and mRNA expression in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The release was inhibited by the VEGF receptor antagonists and the JNK, PI-3K, tyrosine kinase, and transcription inhibitors. In parallel, VEGF induced JNK, PI3K and Akt activation. Strikingly, among these inhibitors only the JNK inhibitor could reduce VEGF-induced CXCL1 mRNA expression, suggesting that JNK participated in VEGF-induced CXCL1 synthesis, whereas PI-3K was responsible for cellular CXCL1 secretory process. In addition, the steroid dexamethasone and TGF-ß suppressed CXCL1 release through a transcriptional regulation. We also showed that cells stimulated with VEGF significantly attracted monocyte migration, which could be abolished by CXCL1 B/N Ab, CXC receptor 2 antagonist, TGF-ß, and dexamethasone. In summary, we provide here evidence showing JNK activation for VEGF-induced CXCL1 DNA transcription and PI-3K pathway for extracellular CXCL1 release in human carcinoma epithelial cells. The released CXCL1 was functionally linked to recruiting monocytes into lung cancer cell microenvironment.

Protein disulfide isomerase a4 promotes lung cancer development via the Stat3 pathway in stromal cells.

BACKGROUND: Protein disulfide isomerases a4 (Pdia4) is known to be involved in cancer development. Our previous publication showed that Pdia4 positively promotes cancer development via its inhibition of procaspase-dependent apoptosis in cancer cells. However, nothing is known about its role in the cancer microenvironment. RESULTS: Here, we first found that Pdia4 expression in lung cancer was negatively correlated with patient survival. Next, we investigated the impact of host Pdia4 in stromal cells during cancer development. We showed that Pdia4 was expressed at a low level in stromal cells, and this expression was up-regulated akin to its expression in cancer cells. This up-regulation was stimulated by tumour cell-derived stimuli. Genetics studies in tumour-bearing wild-type and Pdia4-/- mice showed that host Pdia4 promoted lung cancer development in the mice via cancer stroma. This promotion was abolished in Rag1-/- mice which lacked T and B cells. This promotion could be restored once T and B cells were added back to Rag1-/- mice. In addition, host Pdia4 positively regulated the number and immunosuppressive function of stromal cells. Mechanistic studies showed that host Pdia4 positively controlled the Stat3/Vegf pathway in T and B lymphocytes via its stabilization of activated Stat3 in a Thioredoxin-like domain (CGHC)-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: These findings identify Pdia4 as a possible target for intervention in cancer stroma, suggesting that targeting Pdia4 in cancer stroma is a promising anti-cancer approach.

Runx1 determines nociceptive sensory neuron phenotype and is required for thermal and neuropathic pain.

In mammals, the perception of pain is initiated by the transduction of noxious stimuli through specialized ion channels and receptors expressed by nociceptive sensory neurons. The molecular mechanisms responsible for the specification of distinct sensory modality are, however, largely unknown. We show here that Runx1, a Runt domain transcription factor, is expressed in most nociceptors during embryonic development but in adult mice, becomes restricted to nociceptors marked by expression of the neurotrophin receptor Ret. In these neurons, Runx1 regulates the expression of many ion channels and receptors, including TRP class thermal receptors, Na+-gated, ATP-gated, and H+-gated channels, the opioid receptor MOR, and Mrgpr class G protein coupled receptors. Runx1 also controls the lamina-specific innervation pattern of nociceptive afferents in the spinal cord. Moreover, mice lacking Runx1 exhibit specific defects in thermal and neuropathic pain. Thus, Runx1 coordinates the phenotype of a large cohort of nociceptors, a finding with implications for pain therapy.

Comprehensive analysis of the independent effect of twist and snail in promoting metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

UNLABELLED: The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is critical for induction of invasiveness and metastasis of human cancers. In this study we investigated the expression profiles of the EMT markers, the relationship between EMT markers and patient/tumor/viral factors, and the interplay between major EMT regulators in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Reduced E-cadherin and nonmembranous beta-catenin expression, the hallmarks of EMT, were shown in 60.2% and 51.5% of primary HCC samples, respectively. Overexpression of Snail, Twist, or Slug, the major regulators of EMT, was identified in 56.9%, 43.1%, and 51.4% of primary HCCs, respectively. Statistical analysis determined that Snail and Twist, but not Slug, are major EMT inducers in HCC: overexpression of Snail and/or Twist correlated with down-regulation of E-cadherin, nonmembranous expression of beta-catenin, and a worse prognosis. In contrast, there were no such significant differences in samples that overexpressed Slug. Coexpression of Snail and Twist correlated with the worst prognosis of HCC. Hepatitis C-associated HCC was significantly correlated with Twist overexpression. HCC cell lines with increased Snail and Twist expression (e.g., Mahlavu) exhibited a greater capacity for invasiveness/metastasis than cells with low endogenous Twist/Snail expression (e.g., Huh-7). Overexpression of Snail or/and Twist in Huh-7 induced EMT and invasiveness/metastasis, whereas knockdown of Twist or Snail in Mahlavu reversed EMT and inhibited invasiveness/metastasis. Twist and Snail were independently regulated, but exerted an additive inhibitory effect to suppress E-cadherin transcription. CONCLUSION: Our study provides a comprehensive profile of EMT markers in HCC, and the independent and collaborative effects of Snail and Twist on HCC metastasis were confirmed through different assays.

Expression of long pentraxin 3 in human nasal mucosa fibroblasts, tissues, and secretions of chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps.

Numerous studies have shown that microbiomes play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). In addition to a known short pentraxin, C-reactive protein, long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) belongs to pentraxin family which detects conserved microbial pentraxin motifs and mobilizes early defense against foreign invaders, but its participation in CRS remains unclear. In the present study, through an intensive screening, peptidoglycan (PGN) was selected as a main material to investigate the action mechanism of a cell wall component on CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) nasal mucosa-derived fibroblasts and the PTX3 expression in human nasal mucosa tissue and discharge. The PGN not only enhanced PTX3 mRNA and protein production in cells but also caused marked PTX3 secretion into extracellular space. The pharmacological interventions indicated that the PTX3 induction was mediated mainly through toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), phosphoinositide-phospholipase C (PI-PLC), protein kinase C (PKC), NF-κB, and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), which was further confirmed by the observations that a direct PKC activator (phorbol ester) had a similar inductory effect on PTX3 expression/production and the siRNA interference knockdown of PKCµ/δ, NF-κB, and CREB compromised PTX3 production. Meanwhile, PTX3 was found to be overexpressed/produced in nasal mucosa and discharge/secretion of the CRSsNP patients. Collectively, we first demonstrated here that PGN enhances PTX3 expression and release in nasal fibroblasts through TLR2, PI-PLC, PKCµ/δ, NF-κB, and CREB signaling pathways. The PTX3 is overexpressed in nasal mucosa and discharge/secretion of CRSsNP patients, revealing its possible importance in CRSsNP development and progression. KEY MESSAGES: Long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is highly expressed in nasal mucosa and discharge/secretion of patients of chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP). The bacteria cell wall component-peptidoglycan (PGN) causes PTX3 expression in CRSsNP nasal mucosa-derived fibroblasts, contributing to the PTX3 increase in tissues. PGN induces PTX3 expression through a previously known IκB/NF-κB and a novel PKCµ/δ and CREB signaling pathway. The PTX3 may be used as a biomarker for CRS.

Mechanisms of compartmentalized expression of Mrg class G-protein-coupled sensory receptors.

Mrg class G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are expressed exclusively in sensory neurons in the trigeminal and dorsal root ganglia. Pharmacological activation of Mrg proteins is capable of modulating sensory neuron activities and elicits nociceptive effects. In this study, we illustrate a control mechanism that allows the Runx1 runt domain transcription factor to generate compartmentalized expression of these sensory GPCRs. Expression of MrgA, MrgB, and MrgC subclasses is confined to an "A/B/C" neuronal compartment that expresses Runx1 transiently (or does not express Runx1), whereas MrgD expression is restricted to a "D" compartment with persistent Runx1 expression. Runx1 is initially required for the expression of all Mrg genes. However, during late development Runx1 becomes a repressor for MrgA/B/C genes. As a result, MrgA/B/C expression persists only in the Runx1- "A/B/C" compartment. In delta446 mice, in which Runx1 lacks the C-terminal repression domain, expression of MrgA/B/C genes is dramatically expanded into the Runx1+ "D" compartment. MrgD expression, however, is resistant to Runx1-mediated repression in the "D" compartment. Therefore, the creation of Runx1+ and Runx1- compartments, in conjunction with different responses of Mrg genes to Runx1-mediated repression, results in the compartmentalized expression of MrgA/B/C versus MrgD genes. Within the MrgA/B/C compartment, MrgB4-expressing neurons innervate exclusively the hairy skin. Here we found that Smad4, a downstream component of bone morphological protein-mediated signaling, is required selectively for the expression of MrgB4. Our study suggests a new line of evidence that specification of sensory subtypes is established progressively during perinatal and postnatal development.

Thrombin induces cyclooxygenase-2 expression and prostaglandin E2 release via PAR1 activation and ERK1/2- and p38 MAPK-dependent pathway in murine macrophages.

Thrombin levels increase at sites of vascular injury and during acute coronary syndromes. It is also increased several fold by sepsis with a reciprocal decrease in the anti-thrombin III levels. In this study we investigate the effects of thrombin on the induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandin (PG) production in macrophages. Thrombin-induced COX-2 protein and mRNA expression in RAW264.7 and primary cultured peritoneal macrophages. A serine proteinase, trypsin, also exerted a similar effect. The inducing effect by thrombin in macrophages was not affected by a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding antibiotic, polymyxin B, excluding the possibility of LPS contamination. The increase of COX-2 expression by thrombin was functionally linked to release of PGE(2) and PGI(2) but not thromboxane A(2) into macrophage culture medium. Thrombin-induced COX-2 expression and PGE(2) production were significantly attenuated by PD98059 and SB202190 but not by SP600125, suggesting that ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK activation were involved in this process. This was supported by the observation that thrombin could directly activate ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK in macrophages. A further analysis indicated that the proteinase-activated receptor 1 (PAR1)-activating agonist induced effects similar to those induced by thrombin in macrophages and the PAR1 antagonist-SCH79797 could attenuate thrombin-induced COX-2 expression and PGE(2) release. Taken together, we provided evidence demonstrating that thrombin can induce COX-2 mRNA and protein expression and PGE(2) production in macrophages through PAR1 activation and ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK-dependent pathway. The results presented here may explain, at least in part, the possible contribution of thrombin and macrophages in these pathological conditions.

High Expression of MicroRNA-196a is Associated with Progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Younger Patients.

MicroRNAs are small RNAs involved in various biological processes and cancer metastasis. miR-196a was associated with aggressive behaviors in several cancers. The role of miR-196a in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis remains unknown. This study aimed to examine the role of miR-196a in HCC progression. Expression of miR-196a was measured in 83 human HCC samples. The HCC patients with high miR-196a expression had younger ages, lower albumin levels, higher frequency with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels ≥20 ng/mL, more macrovascular invasion, and non-early stages. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that high miR-196a expression was associated with lower recurrence-free survival. Knockdown of miR-196a decreased transwell invasiveness, sphere formation, transendothelial invasion, and Slug, Twist, Oct4, and Sox2 expression, suppressed angiogenesis, and reduced sizes of xenotransplants and number of pulmonary metastasis. Down-regulation of miR-196a decreased Runx2 and osteopontin (OPN) levels. Knockdown of Runx2 in vitro resulted in comparable phenotypes with miR-196a down-regulation. Restoration of Runx2 in miR-196a-knockdown HCC reverted tumor phenotypes. This study showed that high expression of miR-196a is associated with HCC progression in a subset of younger patients. miR-196a mediates HCC progression via upregulation of Runx2, OPN, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) regulators, and stemness genes. We proposed that miR-196a can be used as a prognostic marker and a potential therapeutic target.

Tlx3 and Tlx1 are post-mitotic selector genes determining glutamatergic over GABAergic cell fates.

Glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons mediate much of the excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission, respectively, in the vertebrate nervous system. The process by which developing neurons select between these two cell fates is poorly understood. Here we show that the homeobox genes Tlx3 and Tlx1 determine excitatory over inhibitory cell fates in the mouse dorsal spinal cord. First, we found that Tlx3 was required for specification of, and expressed in, glutamatergic neurons. Both generic and region-specific glutamatergic markers, including VGLUT2 and the AMPA receptor Gria2, were absent in Tlx mutant dorsal horn. Second, spinal GABAergic markers were derepressed in Tlx mutants, including Pax2 that is necessary for GABAergic differentiation, Gad1/2 and Viaat that regulate GABA synthesis and transport, and the kainate receptors Grik2/3. Third, ectopic expression of Tlx3 was sufficient to suppress GABAergic differentiation and induce formation of glutamatergic neurons. Finally, excess GABA-mediated inhibition caused dysfunction of central respiratory circuits in Tlx3 mutant mice.

Lymphoid Enhancer Factor 1 Contributes to Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression Through Transcriptional Regulation of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Regulators and Stemness Genes.

Lymphoid enhancer factor 1 (LEF1) activity is associated with progression of several types of cancers. The role of LEF1 in progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains poorly known. We investigated LEF1 expression in HCC and its interactions with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) regulators (e.g., Snail, Slug, Twist) and stemness genes (e.g., octamer-binding transcription factor 4 [Oct4], sex determining region Y-box 2 [Sox2], Nanog homeobox [Nanog]). Microarray analysis was performed on resected tumor samples from patients with HCC with or without postoperative recurrence. LEF1 expression was associated with postoperative recurrence as validated by immunohistochemical staining in another HCC cohort. Among 74 patients, 44 displayed a relatively high percentage of LEF1 staining (>30% of HCC cells), which was associated with a reduced recurrence-free interval (P < 0.001) and overall survival (P = 0.009). In multivariate analysis, a high percentage of LEF1 staining was significantly associated with low albumin level (P = 0.035), Twist overexpression (P = 0.018), Snail overexpression (P = 0.064), co-expression of Twist and Snail (P = 0.054), and multinodular tumors (P = 0.025). Down-regulation of LEF1 by short hairpin RNA decreased tumor sphere formation, soft agar colony formation, and transwell invasiveness of HCC cell lines Mahlavu and PLC. Xenotransplant and tail vein injection experiments revealed that LEF1 down-regulation in Mahlavu reduced tumor size and metastasis. LEF1 up-regulation in Huh7 increased sphere formation, soft agar colony formation, and transwell invasiveness. LEF1 was shown to physically interact with and transcriptionally activate promoter regions of Oct4, Snail, Slug, and Twist. Furthermore, Oct4, Snail, and Twist transactivated LEF1 to form a regulatory positive-feedback loop. Conclusion: LEF1 plays a pivotal role in HCC progression through transcriptional regulation of Oct4 and EMT regulators.

Thromboxane A2 Regulates CXCL1 and CXCL8 Chemokine Expression in the Nasal Mucosa-Derived Fibroblasts of Chronic Rhinosinusitis Patients.

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) is a common chronic disease and the etiology remains unclear. Thromboxane A2 (TXA2) participates in platelet aggregation and tissue inflammation. In this study, the CXCL1/8 chemokine and TXA2-TP receptor expression in the CRSsNP mucosa was investigated. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Immunohistochemistry, chemokine release assay by ELISA, RT-PCR, Real-time PCR, Western blotting, pharmacological and siRNA knockdown analysis were applied in the CRSsNP tissue specimen and cultured nasal mucosa-derived fibroblasts. RESULTS: The immunohistochemistry results indicated that CXCL1 and CXCL8 were highly expressed in the CRSsNP mucosa compared with the controls; however, the TP receptors were expressed in both mucosa. Therefore, U46619 and IBOP, a TXA2 analog and TP agonist, were used to explore the role of TP activation in CXCL1/8 expression; both of these induced CXCL1/8 mRNA and protein expression in CRSsNP mucosa-derived fibroblasts. U46619 phosphorylated PI-3K, cyclic AMP (cAMP)/PKA, PKC, and cAMP response element (CREB). Activation of cAMP/PKA, PKC, and CREB was the major pathway for cxcl1/8 gene transcription. Pharmacological and siRNA knockdown analyses revealed that activation of cAMP/PKA and PKCµ/PKD pathways were required for CREB phosphorylation and PKA/C crosstalked with the PI-3K pathway. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Our study provides the first evidence for abundant TP receptor and CXCL1/8 expression in human CRSsNP mucosa and for TXA2 stimulation inducing CXCL1/8 expression in nasal fibroblasts primarily through TP receptor, cAMP/PKA, PKCµ/PKD, and CREB-related pathways.

Lmx1b, Pet-1, and Nkx2.2 coordinately specify serotonergic neurotransmitter phenotype.

Serotonergic (5-HT) neurons in the brainstem modulate a wide range of physiological processes and behaviors. Two transcription factor genes, Pet-1 and Nkx2.2, are necessary but not sufficient to specify the 5-HT transmitter phenotype. Here we show that the Lim class homeobox gene Lmx1b is required for proper formation of the entire 5-HT system in the hindbrain, as indicated by the loss of expression of genes necessary for serotonin synthesis and transport in Lmx1b null mice. Lmx1b and Pet1 act downstream of Nkx2.2, and their expression is independently regulated at the time when 5-HT transmitter phenotype is specified. Ectopic expression of Lmx1b plus Pet-1 is able to induce formation of 5-HT cells in the most ventral spinal cord, where Nkx2.2 is normally expressed. Combined expression of all three genes, Lmx1b, Pet-1, and Nkx2.2, drives 5-HT differentiation in the dorsal spinal cord. Our studies therefore define a molecular pathway necessary and sufficient to specify the serotonergic neurotransmitter phenotype.

Involvement of B2 receptor in bradykinin-induced proliferation and proinflammatory effects in human nasal mucosa-derived fibroblasts isolated from chronic rhinosinusitis patients.

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the sinonasal mucosa either accompanied by polyp formation (CRSwNP) or without polyps (CRSsNP). CRSsNP accounts for the majority of CRS cases and is characterized by fibrosis and neutrophilic inflammation. However, the pathogenesis of CRS, especially CRSsNP, remains unclear. Immunohistochemistry of CRSsNP specimens in the present study showed that the submucosa, perivascular areas, and the mucous glands were abundant in fibroblasts. Therefore, we investigated the effects bradykinin (BK), an autacoid known to participate in inflammation, on human CRSsNP nasal mucosa-derived fibroblasts (NMDFs). BK increased CXCL1 and -8 secretion and mRNA expression with EC50 ranging from 0.15~0.35 µM. Moreover, BK enhanced cell proliferation and upregulated the expressions of proinflammatory molecules, including cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and -2. These functionally caused an increase in monocyte adhesion to fibroblast monolayer. Using pharmacological intervention and BKR siRNA knockdown, we demonstrated that the BK-induced CXCL chemokine release, cell proliferation and COX and CAM expressions were mainly through the B2 receptor (B2R). Accordingly, the B2R was preferentially expressed in the NMDFs than B1R. The B2R was highly expressed in the CRSsNP than the control specimens, while the B1R and kininogen (KNG)/BK expression slightly increased in the CRSsNP mucosa. Collectively, we report here for the first time that fibroblasts, KNG/BK, and BKRs are overexpressed in CRSsNP mucosa and BK upregulates chemokine expression, proliferation, and proinflammatory molecule expression in NMDFs via B2R activation, which lead to a functional increase in monocyte-fibroblast interaction. Our findings reveal a critical role of fibroblast, KNG/BK, and BKRs in the development of CRSsNP.

Effects of all-trans retinoic acid, retinol, and ß-carotene on murine macrophage activity.

Previous studies have demonstrated that vitamin A and carotenoids regulate immune function in lymphocytes and splenocytes, and that the carotenoid lutein regulates matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) production in macrophages. In this study, we investigated the effects of all-trans retinoic acid (atRA, a bioactive vitamin A metabolite), retinol (vitamin A), and ß-carotene (vitamin A precursor) on the activity of murine RAW264.7 and peritoneal macrophages. Our results indicated that atRA and retinol could induce GM-CSF and IL-16 expression, whereas all these tested substances enhanced MMP-9 production. Interestingly, the expression of GM-CSF, IL-16, and MMP-9 was distinctly regulated by these three substances. AtRA and retinol affected GM-CSF and IL-16 expression mainly through RA receptor ß (RARß). However, atRA induced MMP-9 production was via RARα activation and retinol and ß-carotene caused MMP-9 production via RARα and ß activation. These were supported by the observations that the RARα and ß agonists/antagonists differentially affected MMP-9 production and that atRA and ß-carotene enhanced RARE-mediated and MMP-9 promoter luciferase activity. In parallel, while the MMP-9 induction by atRA was not affected by the MAPKs inhibitors, its induction by retinol and ß-carotene was repressed by the inhibitor targeting ERK1/2. Finally, we show that all the tested substances could functionally enhance macrophage phagocytosis. Taken together, we provide evidence here for the first time that atRA, retinol, and ß-carotene differentially regulate GM-CSF, IL-16, and MMP-9 production in macrophages, explaining at least in part why these vitamin A-related substances are beneficial for immunity.

Sleep deprivation aggravates median nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain and enhances microglial activation by suppressing melatonin secretion.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Sleep deprivation is common in patients with neuropathic pain, but the effect of sleep deprivation on pathological pain remains uncertain. This study investigated whether sleep deprivation aggravates neuropathic symptoms and enhances microglial activation in the cuneate nucleus (CN) in a median nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI) model. Also, we assessed if melatonin supplements during the sleep deprived period attenuates these effects. DESIGN: Rats were subjected to sleep deprivation for 3 days by the disc-on-water method either before or after CCI. In the melatonin treatment group, CCI rats received melatonin supplements at doses of 37.5, 75, 150, or 300 mg/kg during sleep deprivation. Melatonin was administered at 23:00 once a day. PARTICIPANTS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 180-250 g (n = 190), were used. MEASUREMENTS: Seven days after CCI, behavioral testing was conducted, and immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used for qualitative and quantitative analyses of microglial activation and measurements of proinflammatory cytokines. RESULTS: In rats who underwent post-CCI sleep deprivation, microglia were more profoundly activated and neuropathic pain was worse than those receiving pre-CCI sleep deprivation. During the sleep deprived period, serum melatonin levels were low over the 24-h period. Administration of melatonin to CCI rats with sleep deprivation significantly attenuated activation of microglia and development of neuropathic pain, and markedly decreased concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep deprivation makes rats more vulnerable to nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain, probably because of associated lower melatonin levels. Melatonin supplements to restore a circadian variation in melatonin concentrations during the sleep deprived period could alleviate nerve injury-induced behavioral hypersensitivity.