Regulation of depressive-like behaviours by palmitoylation: Role of AKAP150 in the basolateral amygdala.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Protein palmitoylation is involved in learning and memory, and in emotional disorders. Yet, the underlying mechanisms in these processes remain unclear. Herein, we describe that A-kinase anchoring protein 150 (AKAP150) is essential and sufficient for depressive-like behaviours in mice via a palmitoylation-dependent mechanism. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Depressive-like behaviours in mice were induced by chronic restraint stress (CRS) and chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Palmitoylated proteins in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) were assessed by an acyl-biotin exchange assay. Genetic and pharmacological approaches were used to investigate the role of the DHHC2-mediated AKAP150 palmitoylation signalling pathway in depressive-like behaviours. Electrophysiological recording, western blotting and co-immunoprecipitation were performed to define the mechanistic pathway. KEY RESULTS: Chronic stress successfully induced depressive-like behaviours in mice and enhanced AKAP150 palmitoylation in the BLA, and a palmitoylation inhibitor was enough to reverse these changes. Blocking the AKAP150-PKA interaction with the peptide Ht-31 abolished the CRS-induced AKAP150 palmitoylation signalling pathway. DHHC2 expression and palmitoylation levels were both increased after chronic stress. DHHC2 knockdown prevented CRS-induced depressive-like behaviours, as well as attenuating AKAP150 signalling and synaptic transmission in the BLA in CRS-treated mice. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: These results delineate that DHHC2 modulates chronic stress-induced depressive-like behaviours and synaptic transmission in the BLA via the AKAP150 palmitoylation signalling pathway, and this pathway may be considered as a promising novel therapeutic target for major depressive disorder.

Embedding Lanthanide Organic Polyhedra into Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for the Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Dyes.

Organic pollutants cause severe environmental problems because of their damage to human health and ecological systems. Photocatalytic degradation of persistent organic pollutants is of great importance to address these hazards. Herein, we report a lanthanide organic polyhedra-based hybrid material Gd8 L12 ⊂MSN with the capability of photocatalytic dye degradation. Gd8 L12 ⊂MSN was prepared by embedding the Gd8 L12 complex into mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) using a "ship-in-a-bottle" strategy. Photocurrent response tests revealed that this hybrid material is a potential semiconductor and could generate a rapid and steady photocurrent upon irradiation. Further dye degradation experiments indicated that it could photocatalyze the degradation of familiar organic dyes. Thereinto, compared with the critical Gd8 L12 complex, the hybrid material exhibited an acceleration of 2.4 times and realized reusability. This not only offers a potential advanced photocatalyst for degrading persistent organic pollutants, but also provides a strategy for the application of supramolecular materials in environmental science.

DHHC2 regulates fear memory formation, LTP, and AKAP150 signaling in the hippocampus.

Palmitoyl acyltransferases (PATs) have been suggested to be involved in learning and memory. However, the underlying mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. Here, we found that the activity of DHHC2 was upregulated in the hippocampus after fear conditioning, and DHHC2 knockdown impaired fear induced memory and long-term potentiation (LTP). Additionally, the activity of DHHC2 and its synaptic expression were increased after high frequency stimulation (HFS) or glycine treatment. Importantly, fear learning selectively augmented the palmitoylation level of AKAP150, not PSD-95, and this effect was abolished by DHHC2 knockdown. Furthermore, 2-bromopalmitic acid (2-BP), a palmitoylation inhibitor, attenuated the increased palmitoylation level of AKAP150 and the interaction between AKAP150 and PSD-95 induced by HFS. Lastly, DHHC2 knockdown reduced the phosphorylation level of GluA1 at Ser845, and also induced an impairment of LTP in the hippocampus. Our results suggest that DHHC2 plays a critical role in regulating fear memory via AKAP150 signaling.

Mesoporous silica nanoparticle-embedded lanthanide organic polyhedra for enhanced stability, luminescence and cell imaging.

We report here a simple but efficient "ship-in-a-bottle" synthetic strategy for increasing the stability and luminescence performance of LOPs by embedding them into mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs). Three types of hybrid materials, i.e. Eu8L12@MSNs, Eu8L12@MSNs-NH2 and Eu8L12@MSNs-biotin, have been prepared and characterized by FT-IR, TGA, SEM and TEM. Photo-optical measurements confirmed that the photoluminescence quantum yields in water have been greatly improved from 5.50% for pristine Eu8L12 to 44.04% for Eu8L12@MSNs-biotin, along with fast disassembly for the former and the optical performance has been maintained for the latter under acidic conditions (pH = 4). Moreover, compared to Eu8L12, Eu8L12@MSNs and Eu8L12@MSNs-NH2, the biotin-modified hybrid material Eu8L12@MSNs-biotin has exhibited much enhanced fluorescence-imaging ability toward the MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells, with significantly reduced dosage of the complex. Our work provides a useful strategy for the functionalization of multinuclear lanthanide organic assemblies toward their biosocial applications.

Effectiveness of surgical management of malignant glaucoma in phakic eyes.

AIM: To assess the effectiveness of core vitrectomy-phacoemulsification-intraocular lens (IOL) implantation-capsulo-hyaloidotomy in treating phakic eye at least 1mo after the onset of malignant glaucoma. METHODS: A retrospective analysis were performed on malignant glaucoma patients treated in Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center between 2016 and 2018. Demographic and clinical data were described. The preoperative and postoperative visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), number of IOP-lowering medications used, and anterior chamber depth (ACD) of the case series were compared by Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: Thirteen phakic eyes with long time intervals between onset and surgery were identified in this case series. Core vitrectomy-phacoemulsification-IOL implantation-capsulo-hyaloidotomy reduced the IOP (P=0.046) and the number of IOP-lowering medications used (P=0.004), deepened the ACD (P=0.005). Complete success was achieved in 38.5% of the eyes, and anatomical success was achieved in 100% of the eyes without any recurrence. The only postoperative complication observed is corneal endothelial decompensation. It occurred in two cases. CONCLUSION: Core vitrectomy-phacoemulsification-IOL implantation-capsulo-hyaloidotomy is safe and effective for treatment of long onset phakic malignant glaucoma.

Ocular development in children with unilateral congenital cataract and persistent fetal vasculature.

AIM: To investigate the ocular development of patients who had unilateral congenital cataract (CC) combined with persistent fetal vasculature (PFV). METHODS: This cross-sectional, observational study included patients who had unilateral CC and PFV and those with isolated unilateral CC. Axial length (AL), keratometry, anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness, and vitreous length were obtained. The ocular biometric parameters of the affected eyes of patients with CC and PFV were compared with the fellow eyes and with the affected eyes of patients with isolated CC. RESULTS: A total of 110 patients were included and divided into 4 groups: group 1 (18 patients with CC and PFV, <24mo), group 2 (22 patients with CC and PFV, ≥24mo), group 3 (35 patients with CC, <24mo), and group 4 (35 patients with CC, ≥24mo). The ALs of the affected eyes were shorter than those of the fellow eyes in group 1 (20.02±1.06 vs 20.66±0.63 mm, P=0.025). While the ALs of the affected eyes were longer than those of the fellow eyes in group 2 (23.18±2.00 vs 22.31±1.06 mm, P=0.044) and group 4 (22.64±1.80 vs 22.02±1.01 mm, P=0.033). The keratometries of the affected eyes were steeper than those of the fellow eyes in group 2 (44.78±1.66 vs 43.83±1.38 D, P=0.041) and group 4 (43.76±1.91 vs 43.34±1.46 D, P=0.043). No difference of ACDs between two eyes was found in all groups (all P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with the fellow eyes, the ALs of the eyes with unilateral CC and PFV are shorter in patients younger than 24mo and longer in those older than 24mo; the keratometries of the eyes with unilateral CC and PFV are steeper in patients older than 24mo and similar with those younger than 24mo. These findings provide further understanding of ocular development in patients with both CC and PFV.

mTORC1 Signaling Pathway Mediates Chronic Stress-Induced Synapse Loss in the Hippocampus.

Background: The mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling has served as a promising target for therapeutic intervention of major depressive disorder (MDD), but the mTORC1 signaling underlying MDD has not been well elucidated. In the present study, we investigated whether mTORC1 signaling pathway mediates synapse loss induced by chronic stress in the hippocampus. Methods: Chronic restraint stress-induced depression-like behaviors were tested by behavior tests (sucrose preference test, forced swim test and tail suspension test). Synaptic proteins and alternations of phosphorylation levels of mTORC1 signaling-associated molecules were measured using Western blotting. In addition, mRNA changes of immediate early genes (IEGs) and glutamate receptors were measured by RT-PCR. Rapamycin was used to explore the role of mTORC1 signaling in the antidepressant effects of fluoxetine. Results: After successfully establishing the chronic restraint stress paradigm, we observed that the mRNA levels of some IEGs were significantly changed, indicating the activation of neurons and protein synthesis alterations. Then, there was a significant downregulation of glutamate receptors and postsynaptic density protein 95 at protein and mRNA levels. Additionally, synaptic fractionation assay revealed that chronic stress induced synapse loss in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus. Furthermore, these effects were associated with the mTORC1 signaling pathway-mediated protein synthesis, and subsequently the phosphorylation of associated downstream signaling targets was reduced after chronic stress. Finally, we found that intracerebroventricular infusion of rapamycin simulated depression-like behavior and also blocked the antidepressant effects of fluoxetine. Conclusion: Overall, our study suggests that mTORC1 signaling pathway plays a critical role in mediating synapse loss induced by chronic stress, and has part in the behavioral effects of antidepressant treatment.

Screening and identifying hepatobiliary diseases through deep learning using ocular images: a prospective, multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: Ocular changes are traditionally associated with only a few hepatobiliary diseases. These changes are non-specific and have a low detection rate, limiting their potential use as clinically independent diagnostic features. Therefore, we aimed to engineer deep learning models to establish associations between ocular features and major hepatobiliary diseases and to advance automated screening and identification of hepatobiliary diseases from ocular images. METHODS: We did a multicentre, prospective study to develop models using slit-lamp or retinal fundus images from participants in three hepatobiliary departments and two medical examination centres. Included participants were older than 18 years and had complete clinical information; participants diagnosed with acute hepatobiliary diseases were excluded. We trained seven slit-lamp models and seven fundus models (with or without hepatobiliary disease [screening model] or one specific disease type within six categories [identifying model]) using a development dataset, and we tested the models with an external test dataset. Additionally, we did a visual explanation and occlusion test. Model performances were evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), sensitivity, specificity, and F1* score. FINDINGS: Between Dec 16, 2018, and July 31, 2019, we collected data from 1252 participants (from the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, the Department of Infectious Diseases of the Affiliated Huadu Hospital of Southern Medical University, and the Nantian Medical Centre of Aikang Health Care [Guangzhou, China]) for the development dataset; between Aug 14, 2019, and Jan 31, 2020, we collected data from 537 participants (from the Department of Infectious Diseases of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University and the Huanshidong Medical Centre of Aikang Health Care [Guangzhou, China]) for the test dataset. The AUROC for screening for hepatobiliary diseases of the slit-lamp model was 0·74 (95% CI 0·71-0·76), whereas that of the fundus model was 0·68 (0·65-0·71). For the identification of hepatobiliary diseases, the AUROCs were 0·93 (0·91-0·94; slit-lamp) and 0·84 (0·81-0·86; fundus) for liver cancer, 0·90 (0·88-0·91; slit-lamp) and 0·83 (0·81-0·86; fundus) for liver cirrhosis, and ranged 0·58-0·69 (0·55-0·71; slit-lamp) and 0·62-0·70 (0·58-0·73; fundus) for other hepatobiliary diseases, including chronic viral hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cholelithiasis, and hepatic cyst. In addition to the conjunctiva and sclera, our deep learning model revealed that the structures of the iris and fundus also contributed to the classification. INTERPRETATION: Our study established qualitative associations between ocular features and major hepatobiliary diseases, providing a non-invasive, convenient, and complementary method for hepatobiliary disease screening and identification, which could be applied as an opportunistic screening tool. FUNDING: Science and Technology Planning Projects of Guangdong Province; National Key R&D Program of China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory Project; National Natural Science Foundation of China.

[Analysis of the essential oils from Amomun kravak Pierre ex Gagnep by GC-MS].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the fingerprint chromatogram of Amomun kravak Pierre ex Gagnep. METHODS: The composition of the essential oil was isolated by PR solvent and determined by GC-MS. Forty-two species of compounds were identified, of which the relative contents were calculated using square peaks to normalization, among which the character components were 1,8-cineole, beta-pinene, alpha-pinene, p-cymene, etc. EMIC software was used and EMIC fingerprint chromatogram was established by selecting the character ion of those 10 compounds. Different extraction methods were also compared. RESULTS: The GC-MS fingerprint chromatogram can provide qualitative information confirming compounds of the corresponding chromatographic peaks. EMIC was first used to reason the quality control of the medicine quality and it can establish the foundation for safe and effective quality control of the medicine and its product. PR solvent can easily extract the essential oil from the medicine. CONCLUSION: This method has the advantage of high efficiency and low cost, and the GC-MS fingerprint chromatogram provided the ascription and quality of the medicine and will play an important role in promoting the modernization of Chinese traditional medicine.

IGF-1 from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells promotes radioresistance of breast cancer cells.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate effects of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) on radioresistance of breast cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MTT assays were used to detect any influence of AMSC supernatants on proliferation of breast cancer cells; cell migration assays were used to determine the effect of breast cancer cells on the recruitment of AMSCs; the cell survival fraction post-irradiation was assessed by clonogenic survival assay; γ-H2AX foci number post-irradiation was determined via fluorescence microscopy; and expression of IGF-1R was detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: AMSC supernatants promoted proliferation and radioresistance of breast cancer cells. Breast cancer cells could recruit AMSCs, especially after irradiation. IGF-1 derived from AMSCs might be responsible for the radioresistance of breast cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that AMSCs in the tumor microenvironment may affect the outcome of radiotherapy for breast cancer in vitro.