Background:Paclitaxel is a compound derived from Pacific yew bark that induces various cancer cell apoptosis.However,whether it also has anticancer activities in KOSC3 cells,an oral cancer cell line,is unclear.Methods:...Background:Paclitaxel is a compound derived from Pacific yew bark that induces various cancer cell apoptosis.However,whether it also has anticancer activities in KOSC3 cells,an oral cancer cell line,is unclear.Methods:3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide,flow cytometry,and western blotting assays were carried out to assess cell viability,subG1 phase of the cell cycle,and apoptosis-related protein expression,respectively.Results:Ourfindings indicate that paclitaxel could inhibit cell viability and increase the expression of apoptotic markers,including plasma membrane blebbing and the cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase in KOSC3 cells.Also,the treatment with paclitaxel remarkably elevated the percentage of the subG1 phase in KOSC3 cells.In addition,treatment with a pan-caspase inhibitor could recover paclitaxel-inhibited cell viability.Moreover,caspase-8,caspase-9,caspase-7,and BH3 interacting domain death agonist(Bid)were activated in paclitaxel-treated KOSC3 cells.Conclusions:Paclitaxel induced apoptosis through caspase cascade in KOSC3 cells.展开更多
This mini-review presents the authors＇ vision on the current status and future trends in the development of neuroprotective agents working via activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）, and i...This mini-review presents the authors＇ vision on the current status and future trends in the development of neuroprotective agents working via activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）, and in particular, via disruption of Nrf2-Keap 1 interaction. There are two opposite ＂chemical＂ mechanisms underlying such activation： the first one is a non-specific covalent modification of Keapl thiols, resulting in side effects of varied severity, and the second one is the shift of the Nrf2-Kelch-like ECH associated protein-1 （Keapl） binding equilibrium in the presence of a competitive and chemically benign displacement agent. At this point, no displacement activators exhibit sufficient biological activity in comparison with common Nrf2 activators working via Keapl thiol modification. Hence, the hope in therapeutics is now linked to the FDA approved dimethylfumarate, whose derivative, monomethylfumarate, as we demonstrated recently, is much less toxic but equally biologically potent and an ideal candidate for clinical trials right now. A newly emerging player is a nuclear inhibitor of Nrf2, BTB domain and CNC homolog 1 （Bach1）. The commercially developed Bachl inhibitors are currently under investigation in our laboratory showing promising results. In our viewpoint, the perfect future drug will present the combination of a displacement activator and Bach 1 inhibitor to insure safety and efficiency of Nrf2 activation.展开更多
Aim： To study the effect and mechanism of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone （GnRH） on murine Leydig cell steroidogenesis. Methods： Purified murine Leydig cells were treated with GnRH-Ⅰ and -Ⅱ agonists, and testost...Aim： To study the effect and mechanism of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone （GnRH） on murine Leydig cell steroidogenesis. Methods： Purified murine Leydig cells were treated with GnRH-Ⅰ and -Ⅱ agonists, and testosterone production and steroidogenic enzyme expressions were determined. Results： GnRH-Ⅰ and -Ⅱ agonists significantly stimulated murine Leydig cell steroidogenesis 60%-80% in a dose- and time-dependent manner （P 〈 0.05）. The mRNA expressions of steroidogenic acute regulatory （STAR） protein, P450scc, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase （HSD）, but not 17β-hydroxylase or 17β-HSD, were significantly stimulated by both GnRH agonists with a 1.5- to 3-fold increase （P 〈 0.05）. However, only 3β-HSD protein expression was induced by both GnRH agonists, with a 1.6- to 2-fold increase （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： GnRH directly stimulated murine Leydig cell steroidogenesis by activating 3β-HSD enzyme expression.展开更多
BACKGROUND Giant cell-rich osteosarcoma(GCRO) is a rare histological variant of osteosarcoma. Spinal GCROs are extremely rare, with challenging diagnosis and management. Herein, we present a case of spinal GCRO at T2,...BACKGROUND Giant cell-rich osteosarcoma(GCRO) is a rare histological variant of osteosarcoma. Spinal GCROs are extremely rare, with challenging diagnosis and management. Herein, we present a case of spinal GCRO at T2, which was not diagnosed in initial biopsy but after T2 corpectomy. We detailed the clinical course, management strategy, and outcome after a 4-year follow-up.CASE SUMMARY A 17-year-old female patient presented with back pain followed by ascending paresthesia. Spinal computed tomography(CT) and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) revealed a collapsed T2 vertebra with an enhancing osteolytic mass. CTguided biopsy showed inconclusive morphology. Pathology from T2 corpectomy revealed GCRO. The patient subsequently received neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by salvage operation of T2 costotransversectomy with grossly-total resection adjuvant chemoradiation. Upon treatment completion, she had complete GCRO remission. The 4-year follow-up spinal MRI showed no tumor recurrence.CONCLUSION Spinal GCRO poses unique challenges in obtaining sufficient tissue diagnosis and complete surgical removal. However, long-term local control of spinal GCRO is possible following complete resection and adjuvant chemoradiation.展开更多
AIM:To analyze the lipid distribution in gastric mucosae.METHODS:Imaging mass spectrometry(MS)is a useful tool to survey the distribution of biomolecules in surgical specimens.Here we used the imaging MS apparatus nam...AIM:To analyze the lipid distribution in gastric mucosae.METHODS:Imaging mass spectrometry(MS)is a useful tool to survey the distribution of biomolecules in surgical specimens.Here we used the imaging MS apparatus named i MScope to identify the dominant molecules present in the human gastric mucosa near the fundic glands.Five gastric specimens were subjected to iM Scope analysis.These specimens were also analyzed by immunohistochemistry using MUC5 AC,H(+)-K(+)-ATPaseβ Claudin18 antibodies.RESULTS:Three major molecules with m/z 725.5,780.5,and 782.5 detected in the gastric mucosa were identified as sphingomyelin(SM)(d18:1/16:0),phosphatidylcholine(PC)(16:0/18:2),and PC(16:0/18:1),respectively,through MS/MS analyses.Using immunohistological staining,SM(d18:1/16:0)signals were mainly colocalized with the foveolar epithelium marker MUC5 AC.In contrast,PC(16:0/18:2)signals were observed in the region testing positive for the fundic gland marker H(+)-K(+)-ATPaseβ.PC(16:0/18:1)signals were uniformly distributed throughout the mucosa.CONCLUSION:Our basic data will contribute to the studies of lipid species in physical and pathological conditions of the human stomach.展开更多
he majority of cancer drugs entering clinical trials fail to reach the market due to poor efficacy. Preclinical efficacy has been traditionally tested using subcutaneous xenograft models that are cheap, fast and easy ...he majority of cancer drugs entering clinical trials fail to reach the market due to poor efficacy. Preclinical efficacy has been traditionally tested using subcutaneous xenograft models that are cheap, fast and easy to perform. However, these models lack the correct tumor microenvironment, leading to poor clinical predictivity. Selecting compounds for clinical trials based on efficacy results obtained from subcutaneous xenograft models may therefore be one important reason for the high failure rates. In this review we concentrate in describing the role and importance of the tumor microenvironment in progression of breast and prostate cancer, and describe some breast and prostate cancer cell lines that are widely used in preclinical studies. We go through different preclinical efficacy models that incorporate the tissue microenvironment and should therefore be clinically more predictive than subcutaneous xenografts. These include three-dimensional cell culture models, orthotopic and metastasis models, humanized and transgenic mouse models, and patient-derived xenografts. Different endpoint measurements and applicable imaging techniques are also discussed. We conclude that models that incorporate the tissue microenvironment should be increasingly used in preclinical efficacy studies to reduce the current high attrition rates of cancer drugs in clinical trials.展开更多
AIM: To investigate whether defi ciency of expressionof cytochrome c oxidase I (CcOI) in colonic crypts is associated with colon cancer.METHODS: The pattern and level of expression of CcOI in non-neoplastic colonic cr...AIM: To investigate whether defi ciency of expressionof cytochrome c oxidase I (CcOI) in colonic crypts is associated with colon cancer.METHODS: The pattern and level of expression of CcOI in non-neoplastic colonic crypts,and in dysplastic tissues,was assessed using standard immunohis-tochemical methods.Biopsies were obtained from individuals undergoing colonoscopies for screening purposes or for a medically indicated reason.Tissue samples were also obtained from surgical colonic resections.Samples from resections were taken from colonic mucosa 1 and 10 cm from tumors and from the tumors themselves.Samples were evaluated for frequency of crypts with reduced or absent expression of CcOI.In most crypts the loss was apparent throughout the entire crypt,while in a small minority the loss was segmental.The strong immunoreactivity using this monoclonal antibody makes the scoring unambiguous.The percent of crypts with reduced or absent expression of CcOI or (infrequent) segmented loss of expression was then calculated.Data analyses were performed using SPSS statistical package 17.0.RESULTS: The average frequency of CcOI deficient crypts (CcOI-DC) is low in individuals between 20 and 39 years of age,with 0.48% ± 0.40% CcOI-DC for women and 1.80% ± 0.35% for men.CcOI-DC increases after age 40 years,so that between the ages of 40 and 44 years the average frequency of CcOI- DC goes up to 5.89% ± 0.84% in women and 2.15% ± 1.27% in men.By 80-84 years of age,the average frequency of CcOI-DC goes up in women to 15.77% ± 0.97% and in men to 22.6% ± 0.65%.The increases in CcOI-DC from ages 40-44 years compared to 80-84 years in women and men are significantly different with P < 0.01.For women over age 60 years,deficiency of CcOI expression is greater in those women who have had a cancer in their colon.The frequency of CcOI-DC,measured in men,increased in tissues adjacent to colon cancer,being 4.03% ± 0.27% in individuals free of neoplasia in the age range 55-64 yearsand 14.13% ± 0.35% in resected histologically normal tissue of men with cancer in the same age range,P < 0.001.Similar signifi cant differences were noted in older age ranges.The frequency of CcOI-DC crypts in the cecum and sigmoid colon of an individual are signifi cantly correlated,with an R2 = 0.414 for women and R2 = 0.528 for men,P < 0.001.This suggests that the factors determining the level of CcOI deficiency act throughout the colon.Most defective crypts are in clusters of two or more,a likely consequence of crypt fission.In the non-neoplastic margins of cancers,crypts are frequently defi cient for CcOI,and such crypts may appear in large clusters,some containing more than 100 defi cient crypts.CcOI defi ciency is also apparent in colon cancers and sometimes involves a large section of the tumor.Overall,CcOI deficient cells can be visualized in segments of crypts,in whole crypts that increase in frequency with age,in crypts undergoing f ission,in clusters of crypts where the clusters increase in size with age,in increased frequency near tumors,in large clusters in the intimate margins of tumors,and in the tumors themselves.There is no clear dividing line between early stages that can be considered aspects of aging and later stages that can be considered aspects of the progression to cancer.This ambiguity may re ect a rather general situation leading to adult cancer where the early stages of cellular change appear to be relatively innocuous features of the aging process but over decades may evolve into malignancy.CONCLUSION: CcOI defi cient crypts increase in frequency with age,and clusters of defi cient crypts are associated with,and may give rise to,colon cancer.展开更多
Poor recovery of neuronal functions is one of the most common healthcare challenges for patients with different types of brain injuries and/or neurodegenerative diseases.Therapeutic interventions face two major challe...Poor recovery of neuronal functions is one of the most common healthcare challenges for patients with different types of brain injuries and/or neurodegenerative diseases.Therapeutic interventions face two major challenges:(1)How to generate neurons de novo to replenish the neuronal loss caused by injuries or neurodegeneration(restorative neurogenesis)and(2)How to prevent or limit the secondary tissue damage caused by long-term accumulation of glial cells,including microglia,at injury site(glial scar).In contrast to mammals,zebrafish have extensive regenerative capacity in numerous vital organs,including the brain,thus making them a valuable model to improve the existing therapeutic approaches for human brain repair.In response to injuries to the central nervous system(CNS),zebrafish have developed specific mechanisms to promote the recovery of the lost tissue architecture and functionality of the damaged CNS.These mechanisms include the activation of a restorative neurogenic program in a specific set of glial cells(ependymoglia)and the resolution of both the glial scar and inflammation,thus enabling proper neuronal specification and survival.In this review,we discuss the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the regenerative ability in the adult zebrafish brain and conclude with the potential applicability of these mechanisms in repair of the mammalian CNS.展开更多
Bioadhesive polymers can serve as surgical sealants with a wide range of potential clinical applications, including augmentation of wound closure and acute induction of hemostasis. Key determinants of sealant efficacy...Bioadhesive polymers can serve as surgical sealants with a wide range of potential clinical applications, including augmentation of wound closure and acute induction of hemostasis. Key determinants of sealant efficacy include the strength and duration of tissue-material adhesion, as well as material biocompatibility. Canonical bioadhesive materials, however, are limited by a tradeoff among performance criteria that is largely governed by the efficiency of tissue-material interactions. In general, increasingly bioreactive materials are endowed with greater bioadhesive potential and protracted residence time, but incite more tissue damage and localized inflammation. One emergent strategy to improve sealant clinical performance is application-specific material design, with the goal of leveraging both local soft tissue surface chemistry and environmental factors to promote adhesive tissue-material interactions. We hypothesize that copolymer systems with equivalent bioreactive group densities (isoreactive) but different amounts/oxidation states of constituent polymers will exhibit differential interactions across soft tissue types. We synthesized an isoreactive family of aldehyde-mediated co-polymers, and subjected these materials to physical (gelation time), mechanical (bulk modulus and adhesion strength), and biological (in-vitro cytotoxicity and in-vivo biocompatibility) assays indicative of sealant performance. Results show that while bioadhesion to a range of soft tissue surfaces (porcine aortic adventitia, renal artery adventitia, renal cortex, and pericardium) varies with isoreactive manipulation, general indicators of material biocompatibility remain constant. Together these findings suggest that isore-active tuning of polymeric systems is a promising strategy to circumvent current challenges in surgical sealant applications.展开更多
The comparative analysis of the monolignols localization in epidermis, photosynthesizing parenchyma and vessels walls of Myriophyllum spicatum, Potamogeton pectinatus and P. perfoliatus submerged leaves carried out on...The comparative analysis of the monolignols localization in epidermis, photosynthesizing parenchyma and vessels walls of Myriophyllum spicatum, Potamogeton pectinatus and P. perfoliatus submerged leaves carried out on the basis of cytochemical method and laser confocal microscopy. The images of quantitative distribution of syringyl and guaiacyl in the cell walls were obtained at cellular level depending on the type of leaf tissues and plant species. The increase of relative content of monolignols was established in walls of vessels and in the corners of parenchyma cells. Cytochemical analysis indicates that ratio of syringyl/guaiacyl in leaf tissues changes depending on species. The role of of syringyl and guaiacyl monolignols in the cellular mechanisms of adaptation to nature flooding is discussed.展开更多
Objective： To evaluate apoptotic effects of cisplatin and cordycepin as single agent or in combination with cytotoxicity in oral cancer cells. Methods： The influences of cisplatin （2.5 μg/mL） and/or cordycapin tr...Objective： To evaluate apoptotic effects of cisplatin and cordycepin as single agent or in combination with cytotoxicity in oral cancer cells. Methods： The influences of cisplatin （2.5 μg/mL） and/or cordycapin treatment （10 or 100 μmol/L） to human OC3 oral cancer cell line were investigated by morphological observation for cell death appearance, methylthiazoletetrazolium （MTT） assay for cell viability, flow cytometry assay for cell apoptosis, and Western blotting for apoptotic protein expressions. Results： Data demonstrated that co-administration of cisplatin （2.5 μg/mL） and cordycepin （10 or 100μmol/L） resulted in the enhancement of OC3 cell apoptosis compared to cisplatin or cordycapin alone treatment （24 h）, respectively （P〈0.05）. In flow cytometry assay, percentage of cells arrested at subG1 phase with co-treatment of cordycepin and cisplatin （30%） was significantly higher than cisplatin （5%） or cordycepin （12%） alone group （P〈0.05）, confirming a synergistically apoptotic effect of cordycepin and cisplatin. In cellular mechanism study, co-treatment of cordycepin and cisplatin induced more stress-activated protein kinase/dun terminal kinase （JNK）, the expressions of caspase-7, and the cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase （PARP） as compared to cisplatin or cordycepin alone treatment （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Cisplatin and cordycepin possess synergistically apoptotic effect through the activation of JNK/caspase-7/PARP pathway in human OC3 oral cancer cell line.展开更多
Recent evidence indicates that different types of vascular stem cells （VSCs） reside within the mural layers of arteries and veins. The precise identities of these resident VSCs are still unclear; generally, postnata...Recent evidence indicates that different types of vascular stem cells （VSCs） reside within the mural layers of arteries and veins. The precise identities of these resident VSCs are still unclear; generally, postnatal vasculature contains multilineage stem cells and vascular cell lineage-specific progenitor/stem cells which may participate in both vascular repair and lesion formation. However, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. In this review, we summarize the potential molecular mechanisms, which may control the quiescence and activation of resident VSCs and highlight a notion that the differential states of resident VSCs are directly linked to vascular repair or lesion formation.展开更多
Bile acids are implicated as etiologic agents in cancer of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including cancer of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, liver, biliary tract, pancreas and colon/rectum. Deleterious eff...Bile acids are implicated as etiologic agents in cancer of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including cancer of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, liver, biliary tract, pancreas and colon/rectum. Deleterious effects of bile acid exposure, likely related to carcinogenesis, include: induction of reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species; induction of DNA damage; stimulation of mutation; induction of apoptosis in the short term, and selection for apoptosis resistance in the long term. These deleterious effects have, so far, been reported most consistently in relation to esophageal and colorectal cancer, but also to some extent in relation to cancer of other organs. In addition, evidence is reviewed for an association of increased bile acid exposure with cancer risk in human populations, in specific human genetic conditions, and in animal experiments. A model for the role of bile acids in GI carcinogenesis is presented from a Darwinian perspective that offers an explanation for how the observed effects of bile acids on cells contribute to cancer development.展开更多
Background Erythropoietin （EPO） functions as a tissue-protective cytokine in addition to its crucial hormonal role in red cell production and neuron protection. This study aimed to determine the neuron protective ef...Background Erythropoietin （EPO） functions as a tissue-protective cytokine in addition to its crucial hormonal role in red cell production and neuron protection. This study aimed to determine the neuron protective effect of erythropoietin on experimental rats enduring spinal cord injury （SCI） by assessing thrombospondin-1 （TSP-1） level and transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β） in the development of a rat model of SCI. Methods Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to three groups： sham operation control group, SCI group and EPO treatment group. By using a weight-drop contusion SCI model, the rats in the SCI group and EPO treatment group were sacrificed at 24 hours and 7 days subsequently. The Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan （BBB） scores were examined for locomotor function. Pathological changes were observed after HE staining. The expressions of thrombospondin-2 （TSP-1） and TGF-β were determined by immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting. Results Slighter locomotor dysfunction was discovered and it was recovered abruptly as higher BBB scores were found in the EPO treatment group than in the SCI group （P 〈0.01）. Pathologically, progressive disruption of the dorsal white matter and regeneration of a few neurons were also observed in SCI rats. TSP-1 and TGF-β expression increased at 24 hours and 7 days after SCI in the injured segment, and it was higher in the SCI group than in the EPO treatment group. Spinal cord samples from the animals demonstrated a TSP-1 optical density of 112.2±6.8 and TSP-1 positive cells of 5.7±1.3 respectively. After injury, the TSP-1 optical density and cell number increased to 287.2±14.3/mm^2 and 23.2±2.6/mm^2 at 24 hours and to 232.1±13.2/mm^2 and 15.2±2.3/mm^2 at 7 days respectively. When EPO treated rats compared with the SCI rats, the TSP-1 optical density and cell number decreased to 213.1 ±11.6/mm^2 and 11.9±1.6/mm^2 at 24 hours and to 189.9±10.5/mm^2 and 9.3±1.5/mm^2 at 7 days, respectively （P 〈0.01）. In the SCI rats, the TGF-β optical density and positive neuron number were 291.4±15.2/mm^2 and 28.8±4.9/mm^2 at 24 hours and 259.1±12.3/mm^2 and 23.9±4.1/mm^2 at 7 days respectively. They decreased in the EPO treated rats to 222.8±11.9/mm^2 and 13.7±2.1/mm^2 at 24 hours and to 196.5±9.7/mm^2 and 8.7±2.2/mm^2 at 7 days （P 〈0.01）. Conclusions Increased expression of TSP-1 and TGF-β can be found in the injured segment of the spinal cord at 24 hours and 7 days after injury. EPO treatment can effectively prevent pathological alterations from severe spinal cord injury by reduced expression of TSP-1 and TGF-β.展开更多
Adolescent alcohol abuse is a substantive public health problem that has been the subject of intensive study in recent years.Despite reports of a wide range of effects of adolescent intermittent ethanol(AIE)exposure o...Adolescent alcohol abuse is a substantive public health problem that has been the subject of intensive study in recent years.Despite reports of a wide range of effects of adolescent intermittent ethanol(AIE)exposure on brain and behavior,little is known about the mechanisms that may underlie those effects,and even less about treatments that might reverse them.Recent studies from our laboratory have indicated that AIE produced enduring changes in astrocyte function and synaptic activity in the hippocampal formation,suggesting the possibility of an alteration in astrocyte-neuronal connectivity and function.We utilized astrocyte-specific,membrane restricted viral labeling paired with immunohistochemistry to perform confocal single cell astrocyte imaging,three-dimensional reconstruction,and quantification of astrocyte morphology in hippocampal area CA1 from adult rats after AIE.Additionally,we assessed the colocalization of astrocyte plasma membrane labeling with immunoreactivity for AMPA-(α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid)glutamate receptor 1,an AMPA receptor subunit and established neuronal marker of excitatory synapses,as a metric of astrocyte-synapse proximity.AIE significantly reduced the colocalization of the astrocyte plasma membrane with synaptic marker puncta in adulthood.This is striking in that it suggests not only an alteration of the physical association of astrocytes with synapses by AIE,but one that lasts into adulthood-well after the termination of alcohol exposure.Perhaps even more notable,the AIE-induced reduction of astrocyte-synapse interaction was reversed by sub-chronic treatment with the clinically used agent,gabapentin(Neurontin),in adulthood.This suggests that a medication in common clinical use may have the potential to reverse some of the enduring effects of adolescent alcohol exposure on brain function.All animal experiments conducted were approved by the Duke University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee(Protocol Registry Number A159-18-07)on July 27,2018.展开更多
Although systemic inflammatory responses attributable to infection may lead to significant lung injury,the precise molecular mechanisms leading to lung damage are poorly understood and therapeutic options remain limit...Although systemic inflammatory responses attributable to infection may lead to significant lung injury,the precise molecular mechanisms leading to lung damage are poorly understood and therapeutic options remain limited.Here,we show that myeloid monocyte chemotactic protein-inducible protein 1(MCPIP1)plays a central role in protecting against LPS-induced inflammation and lung injury.Myeloid-specific MCPIP1 knockout mice developed spontaneous inflammatory syndromes,but at a late age compared to global MCPIP1 knockout mice.Moreover,mice with a myeloid-specific deletion of MCPIP1 were extremely sensitive to LPS-induced lung injury due to overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines.We identified C/EBPβand C/EBPδ,two critical transcriptional factors that drive cytokine production and lung injury,as targets of MCPIP1 RNase.LPS administration caused MCPIP1 protein degradation in the lungs.Pharmacological inhibition of MALT1,a paracaspase that cleaves MCPIP1,by MI-2 selectively increased the MCPIP1 protein levels in macrophages and in the lungs.Meanwhile,administration of MI-2 protected mice from LPS-induced inflammation,lung injury and death.Collectively,these results indicate that myeloid MCPIP1 is central in controlling LPS-induced inflammation and lung injury.Pharmacological inhibition of MALT1 protease activity may be a good strategy to treat inflammatory diseases by enhancing MCPIP1 expression in myeloid cells.展开更多
Spinal cord injury(SCI)affects approximately 200,000 individuals per year worldwide.There are more than 27 million people worldwide living with long-term disability due to SCI.Historically,it was thought that the cent...Spinal cord injury(SCI)affects approximately 200,000 individuals per year worldwide.There are more than 27 million people worldwide living with long-term disability due to SCI.Historically,it was thought that the central nervous system(CNS)had little ability for regeneration;however,more recent studies have demonstrated potential for repair within the CNS.Because of this,there exists a renewed interest in the discovery of novel approaches to promote regeneration in the CNS including the spinal cord.It is important to know the roles of the microRNAs(miRNAs)in modulation of pathogenesis in SCI and the potentials of the miRNA-based clinical interventions for controlling post-injury symptoms and improving functional recovery.The miRNAs,which are non-coding RNAs with an average of 22 nucleotides in length,are post-transcriptional gene regulators that cause degradation of the target mRNAs and thus negatively control their translation.This review article focuses on current research related to miRNAs and their roles in modulating SCI symptoms,asserting that miRNAs contribute to critical post-SCI molecular processes including neuroplasticity,functional recovery,astrogliosis,neuropathic pain,inflammation,and apoptosis.In particular,miR-96 provides a promising therapeutic opportunity to improve the outcomes of clinical interventions,including the way SCI injuries are evaluated and treated.展开更多
The presynaptic active zone is a dynamic structure that orchestrates regulated release of neurotrans- mitters. Developmental and aging processes, and changes in neuronal network activity can all modulate the number, s...The presynaptic active zone is a dynamic structure that orchestrates regulated release of neurotrans- mitters. Developmental and aging processes, and changes in neuronal network activity can all modulate the number, size and composition of active zone and thereby synaptic efficacy. However, very little is known about the mechanism that controls the structural stability of active zone. By study- ing a model synapse, the Drosophila neuromuscular iunction, our recent work shed light on how two scaffolding proteins at the active zone regulate active zone stability by promoting a localized dephos- phorylation event at the nerve terminal. Here we discuss the major insights from our findings and their implications for future research.展开更多
BACKGROUND Inverted papilloma is an uncommon neoplasm in the nasal cavity.It is a histologically benign tumor,but has a high recurrence and local invasion rate.In addition,nasal or skull base lymphoma is another rare ...BACKGROUND Inverted papilloma is an uncommon neoplasm in the nasal cavity.It is a histologically benign tumor,but has a high recurrence and local invasion rate.In addition,nasal or skull base lymphoma is another rare neoplasm.The coexistence of these two tumors in one case makes the diagnosis and related treatment difficult.CASE SUMMARY We report a case of an immunocompetent patient,who had a history of inverted papilloma 20 years ago.The patient presented with an infiltrated mass lesion in the nasal cavity with extension to the frontal base.The repeated biopsies revealed inverted papilloma without any malignant transformation.After the patient underwent a frontobasal craniotomy with total tumor excision,the final pathological examination revealed nasal inverted papilloma coexisting with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the skull base.CONCLUSION Based on this case report,while managing a case of an aggressive recurrent inverted papilloma,not only squamous cell carcinoma transformation,but also other invasive malignancy,such as lymphoma,should be considered.展开更多
基金The present study was supported by the National Science and Technology Council,Taiwan(MOST-107-2320-B-471-001 to YYL and MOST-110-2320-B-006-025-MY3 to BMH)by An Nan Hospital(ANHRF111-55 to TCC and BMH).
文摘Background:Paclitaxel is a compound derived from Pacific yew bark that induces various cancer cell apoptosis.However,whether it also has anticancer activities in KOSC3 cells,an oral cancer cell line,is unclear.Methods:3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide,flow cytometry,and western blotting assays were carried out to assess cell viability,subG1 phase of the cell cycle,and apoptosis-related protein expression,respectively.Results:Ourfindings indicate that paclitaxel could inhibit cell viability and increase the expression of apoptotic markers,including plasma membrane blebbing and the cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase in KOSC3 cells.Also,the treatment with paclitaxel remarkably elevated the percentage of the subG1 phase in KOSC3 cells.In addition,treatment with a pan-caspase inhibitor could recover paclitaxel-inhibited cell viability.Moreover,caspase-8,caspase-9,caspase-7,and BH3 interacting domain death agonist(Bid)were activated in paclitaxel-treated KOSC3 cells.Conclusions:Paclitaxel induced apoptosis through caspase cascade in KOSC3 cells.
基金supported in part by grants from NIH NS062165,NS060885,Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s ResearchParfore Parkinson,National Parkinson Foundation(CSRA chapter) to BT+1 种基金Winifred Masterson Burke FoundationThomas Hartman Foundat ion for Parkinson’s disease to IGG
文摘This mini-review presents the authors＇ vision on the current status and future trends in the development of neuroprotective agents working via activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）, and in particular, via disruption of Nrf2-Keap 1 interaction. There are two opposite ＂chemical＂ mechanisms underlying such activation： the first one is a non-specific covalent modification of Keapl thiols, resulting in side effects of varied severity, and the second one is the shift of the Nrf2-Kelch-like ECH associated protein-1 （Keapl） binding equilibrium in the presence of a competitive and chemically benign displacement agent. At this point, no displacement activators exhibit sufficient biological activity in comparison with common Nrf2 activators working via Keapl thiol modification. Hence, the hope in therapeutics is now linked to the FDA approved dimethylfumarate, whose derivative, monomethylfumarate, as we demonstrated recently, is much less toxic but equally biologically potent and an ideal candidate for clinical trials right now. A newly emerging player is a nuclear inhibitor of Nrf2, BTB domain and CNC homolog 1 （Bach1）. The commercially developed Bachl inhibitors are currently under investigation in our laboratory showing promising results. In our viewpoint, the perfect future drug will present the combination of a displacement activator and Bach 1 inhibitor to insure safety and efficiency of Nrf2 activation.
文摘Aim： To study the effect and mechanism of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone （GnRH） on murine Leydig cell steroidogenesis. Methods： Purified murine Leydig cells were treated with GnRH-Ⅰ and -Ⅱ agonists, and testosterone production and steroidogenic enzyme expressions were determined. Results： GnRH-Ⅰ and -Ⅱ agonists significantly stimulated murine Leydig cell steroidogenesis 60%-80% in a dose- and time-dependent manner （P 〈 0.05）. The mRNA expressions of steroidogenic acute regulatory （STAR） protein, P450scc, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase （HSD）, but not 17β-hydroxylase or 17β-HSD, were significantly stimulated by both GnRH agonists with a 1.5- to 3-fold increase （P 〈 0.05）. However, only 3β-HSD protein expression was induced by both GnRH agonists, with a 1.6- to 2-fold increase （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： GnRH directly stimulated murine Leydig cell steroidogenesis by activating 3β-HSD enzyme expression.
文摘BACKGROUND Giant cell-rich osteosarcoma(GCRO) is a rare histological variant of osteosarcoma. Spinal GCROs are extremely rare, with challenging diagnosis and management. Herein, we present a case of spinal GCRO at T2, which was not diagnosed in initial biopsy but after T2 corpectomy. We detailed the clinical course, management strategy, and outcome after a 4-year follow-up.CASE SUMMARY A 17-year-old female patient presented with back pain followed by ascending paresthesia. Spinal computed tomography(CT) and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) revealed a collapsed T2 vertebra with an enhancing osteolytic mass. CTguided biopsy showed inconclusive morphology. Pathology from T2 corpectomy revealed GCRO. The patient subsequently received neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by salvage operation of T2 costotransversectomy with grossly-total resection adjuvant chemoradiation. Upon treatment completion, she had complete GCRO remission. The 4-year follow-up spinal MRI showed no tumor recurrence.CONCLUSION Spinal GCRO poses unique challenges in obtaining sufficient tissue diagnosis and complete surgical removal. However, long-term local control of spinal GCRO is possible following complete resection and adjuvant chemoradiation.
文摘AIM:To analyze the lipid distribution in gastric mucosae.METHODS:Imaging mass spectrometry(MS)is a useful tool to survey the distribution of biomolecules in surgical specimens.Here we used the imaging MS apparatus named i MScope to identify the dominant molecules present in the human gastric mucosa near the fundic glands.Five gastric specimens were subjected to iM Scope analysis.These specimens were also analyzed by immunohistochemistry using MUC5 AC,H(+)-K(+)-ATPaseβ Claudin18 antibodies.RESULTS:Three major molecules with m/z 725.5,780.5,and 782.5 detected in the gastric mucosa were identified as sphingomyelin(SM)(d18:1/16:0),phosphatidylcholine(PC)(16:0/18:2),and PC(16:0/18:1),respectively,through MS/MS analyses.Using immunohistological staining,SM(d18:1/16:0)signals were mainly colocalized with the foveolar epithelium marker MUC5 AC.In contrast,PC(16:0/18:2)signals were observed in the region testing positive for the fundic gland marker H(+)-K(+)-ATPaseβ.PC(16:0/18:1)signals were uniformly distributed throughout the mucosa.CONCLUSION:Our basic data will contribute to the studies of lipid species in physical and pathological conditions of the human stomach.
基金Supported by Eurostars program of Eureka(project acronym"D-SIST")
文摘he majority of cancer drugs entering clinical trials fail to reach the market due to poor efficacy. Preclinical efficacy has been traditionally tested using subcutaneous xenograft models that are cheap, fast and easy to perform. However, these models lack the correct tumor microenvironment, leading to poor clinical predictivity. Selecting compounds for clinical trials based on efficacy results obtained from subcutaneous xenograft models may therefore be one important reason for the high failure rates. In this review we concentrate in describing the role and importance of the tumor microenvironment in progression of breast and prostate cancer, and describe some breast and prostate cancer cell lines that are widely used in preclinical studies. We go through different preclinical efficacy models that incorporate the tissue microenvironment and should therefore be clinically more predictive than subcutaneous xenografts. These include three-dimensional cell culture models, orthotopic and metastasis models, humanized and transgenic mouse models, and patient-derived xenografts. Different endpoint measurements and applicable imaging techniques are also discussed. We conclude that models that incorporate the tissue microenvironment should be increasingly used in preclinical efficacy studies to reduce the current high attrition rates of cancer drugs in clinical trials.
基金Supported by Grants from the National Institutes of Health (5 R01 CA119087)Arizona Biomedical Research Commission Grant #0803Veterans Affairs Merit Review Grant 0142 administered by the Southern Arizona Veterans Affairs Health Care System and from Biomedical Diagnostics and Research, Inc., Tucson, AZ 85719
文摘AIM: To investigate whether defi ciency of expressionof cytochrome c oxidase I (CcOI) in colonic crypts is associated with colon cancer.METHODS: The pattern and level of expression of CcOI in non-neoplastic colonic crypts,and in dysplastic tissues,was assessed using standard immunohis-tochemical methods.Biopsies were obtained from individuals undergoing colonoscopies for screening purposes or for a medically indicated reason.Tissue samples were also obtained from surgical colonic resections.Samples from resections were taken from colonic mucosa 1 and 10 cm from tumors and from the tumors themselves.Samples were evaluated for frequency of crypts with reduced or absent expression of CcOI.In most crypts the loss was apparent throughout the entire crypt,while in a small minority the loss was segmental.The strong immunoreactivity using this monoclonal antibody makes the scoring unambiguous.The percent of crypts with reduced or absent expression of CcOI or (infrequent) segmented loss of expression was then calculated.Data analyses were performed using SPSS statistical package 17.0.RESULTS: The average frequency of CcOI deficient crypts (CcOI-DC) is low in individuals between 20 and 39 years of age,with 0.48% ± 0.40% CcOI-DC for women and 1.80% ± 0.35% for men.CcOI-DC increases after age 40 years,so that between the ages of 40 and 44 years the average frequency of CcOI- DC goes up to 5.89% ± 0.84% in women and 2.15% ± 1.27% in men.By 80-84 years of age,the average frequency of CcOI-DC goes up in women to 15.77% ± 0.97% and in men to 22.6% ± 0.65%.The increases in CcOI-DC from ages 40-44 years compared to 80-84 years in women and men are significantly different with P < 0.01.For women over age 60 years,deficiency of CcOI expression is greater in those women who have had a cancer in their colon.The frequency of CcOI-DC,measured in men,increased in tissues adjacent to colon cancer,being 4.03% ± 0.27% in individuals free of neoplasia in the age range 55-64 yearsand 14.13% ± 0.35% in resected histologically normal tissue of men with cancer in the same age range,P < 0.001.Similar signifi cant differences were noted in older age ranges.The frequency of CcOI-DC crypts in the cecum and sigmoid colon of an individual are signifi cantly correlated,with an R2 = 0.414 for women and R2 = 0.528 for men,P < 0.001.This suggests that the factors determining the level of CcOI deficiency act throughout the colon.Most defective crypts are in clusters of two or more,a likely consequence of crypt fission.In the non-neoplastic margins of cancers,crypts are frequently defi cient for CcOI,and such crypts may appear in large clusters,some containing more than 100 defi cient crypts.CcOI defi ciency is also apparent in colon cancers and sometimes involves a large section of the tumor.Overall,CcOI deficient cells can be visualized in segments of crypts,in whole crypts that increase in frequency with age,in crypts undergoing f ission,in clusters of crypts where the clusters increase in size with age,in increased frequency near tumors,in large clusters in the intimate margins of tumors,and in the tumors themselves.There is no clear dividing line between early stages that can be considered aspects of aging and later stages that can be considered aspects of the progression to cancer.This ambiguity may re ect a rather general situation leading to adult cancer where the early stages of cellular change appear to be relatively innocuous features of the aging process but over decades may evolve into malignancy.CONCLUSION: CcOI defi cient crypts increase in frequency with age,and clusters of defi cient crypts are associated with,and may give rise to,colon cancer.
基金Supported by the German Research foundation(DFG),No.SFB 870
文摘Poor recovery of neuronal functions is one of the most common healthcare challenges for patients with different types of brain injuries and/or neurodegenerative diseases.Therapeutic interventions face two major challenges:(1)How to generate neurons de novo to replenish the neuronal loss caused by injuries or neurodegeneration(restorative neurogenesis)and(2)How to prevent or limit the secondary tissue damage caused by long-term accumulation of glial cells,including microglia,at injury site(glial scar).In contrast to mammals,zebrafish have extensive regenerative capacity in numerous vital organs,including the brain,thus making them a valuable model to improve the existing therapeutic approaches for human brain repair.In response to injuries to the central nervous system(CNS),zebrafish have developed specific mechanisms to promote the recovery of the lost tissue architecture and functionality of the damaged CNS.These mechanisms include the activation of a restorative neurogenic program in a specific set of glial cells(ependymoglia)and the resolution of both the glial scar and inflammation,thus enabling proper neuronal specification and survival.In this review,we discuss the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the regenerative ability in the adult zebrafish brain and conclude with the potential applicability of these mechanisms in repair of the mammalian CNS.
文摘Bioadhesive polymers can serve as surgical sealants with a wide range of potential clinical applications, including augmentation of wound closure and acute induction of hemostasis. Key determinants of sealant efficacy include the strength and duration of tissue-material adhesion, as well as material biocompatibility. Canonical bioadhesive materials, however, are limited by a tradeoff among performance criteria that is largely governed by the efficiency of tissue-material interactions. In general, increasingly bioreactive materials are endowed with greater bioadhesive potential and protracted residence time, but incite more tissue damage and localized inflammation. One emergent strategy to improve sealant clinical performance is application-specific material design, with the goal of leveraging both local soft tissue surface chemistry and environmental factors to promote adhesive tissue-material interactions. We hypothesize that copolymer systems with equivalent bioreactive group densities (isoreactive) but different amounts/oxidation states of constituent polymers will exhibit differential interactions across soft tissue types. We synthesized an isoreactive family of aldehyde-mediated co-polymers, and subjected these materials to physical (gelation time), mechanical (bulk modulus and adhesion strength), and biological (in-vitro cytotoxicity and in-vivo biocompatibility) assays indicative of sealant performance. Results show that while bioadhesion to a range of soft tissue surfaces (porcine aortic adventitia, renal artery adventitia, renal cortex, and pericardium) varies with isoreactive manipulation, general indicators of material biocompatibility remain constant. Together these findings suggest that isore-active tuning of polymeric systems is a promising strategy to circumvent current challenges in surgical sealant applications.
文摘The comparative analysis of the monolignols localization in epidermis, photosynthesizing parenchyma and vessels walls of Myriophyllum spicatum, Potamogeton pectinatus and P. perfoliatus submerged leaves carried out on the basis of cytochemical method and laser confocal microscopy. The images of quantitative distribution of syringyl and guaiacyl in the cell walls were obtained at cellular level depending on the type of leaf tissues and plant species. The increase of relative content of monolignols was established in walls of vessels and in the corners of parenchyma cells. Cytochemical analysis indicates that ratio of syringyl/guaiacyl in leaf tissues changes depending on species. The role of of syringyl and guaiacyl monolignols in the cellular mechanisms of adaptation to nature flooding is discussed.
基金Supported by National Science Council Grant(No.982320-B-006-016),Taiwan,China
文摘Objective： To evaluate apoptotic effects of cisplatin and cordycepin as single agent or in combination with cytotoxicity in oral cancer cells. Methods： The influences of cisplatin （2.5 μg/mL） and/or cordycapin treatment （10 or 100 μmol/L） to human OC3 oral cancer cell line were investigated by morphological observation for cell death appearance, methylthiazoletetrazolium （MTT） assay for cell viability, flow cytometry assay for cell apoptosis, and Western blotting for apoptotic protein expressions. Results： Data demonstrated that co-administration of cisplatin （2.5 μg/mL） and cordycepin （10 or 100μmol/L） resulted in the enhancement of OC3 cell apoptosis compared to cisplatin or cordycapin alone treatment （24 h）, respectively （P〈0.05）. In flow cytometry assay, percentage of cells arrested at subG1 phase with co-treatment of cordycepin and cisplatin （30%） was significantly higher than cisplatin （5%） or cordycepin （12%） alone group （P〈0.05）, confirming a synergistically apoptotic effect of cordycepin and cisplatin. In cellular mechanism study, co-treatment of cordycepin and cisplatin induced more stress-activated protein kinase/dun terminal kinase （JNK）, the expressions of caspase-7, and the cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase （PARP） as compared to cisplatin or cordycepin alone treatment （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Cisplatin and cordycepin possess synergistically apoptotic effect through the activation of JNK/caspase-7/PARP pathway in human OC3 oral cancer cell line.
文摘Recent evidence indicates that different types of vascular stem cells （VSCs） reside within the mural layers of arteries and veins. The precise identities of these resident VSCs are still unclear; generally, postnatal vasculature contains multilineage stem cells and vascular cell lineage-specific progenitor/stem cells which may participate in both vascular repair and lesion formation. However, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. In this review, we summarize the potential molecular mechanisms, which may control the quiescence and activation of resident VSCs and highlight a notion that the differential states of resident VSCs are directly linked to vascular repair or lesion formation.
基金Supported by Grants from the NIH (R21CA111513-01A1, 5 RO1 CA119087, and SPORE Grant 1 P50CA95060)grants from the Arizona Biomedical Research Commission (#0012 & #0803)by Biomedical Diagnostics & Research In., Tucson Arizona, and by a VA Merit Review Grant
文摘Bile acids are implicated as etiologic agents in cancer of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including cancer of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, liver, biliary tract, pancreas and colon/rectum. Deleterious effects of bile acid exposure, likely related to carcinogenesis, include: induction of reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species; induction of DNA damage; stimulation of mutation; induction of apoptosis in the short term, and selection for apoptosis resistance in the long term. These deleterious effects have, so far, been reported most consistently in relation to esophageal and colorectal cancer, but also to some extent in relation to cancer of other organs. In addition, evidence is reviewed for an association of increased bile acid exposure with cancer risk in human populations, in specific human genetic conditions, and in animal experiments. A model for the role of bile acids in GI carcinogenesis is presented from a Darwinian perspective that offers an explanation for how the observed effects of bile acids on cells contribute to cancer development.
基金This study was supported by grants from the Major Science Research Program of Zhejiang Province （No. 2006C23029）, Medical Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province （No. 2005HN007） and Zhejiang Provincial Program for the Cultivation of High-level Innovative Health Talents.
文摘Background Erythropoietin （EPO） functions as a tissue-protective cytokine in addition to its crucial hormonal role in red cell production and neuron protection. This study aimed to determine the neuron protective effect of erythropoietin on experimental rats enduring spinal cord injury （SCI） by assessing thrombospondin-1 （TSP-1） level and transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β） in the development of a rat model of SCI. Methods Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to three groups： sham operation control group, SCI group and EPO treatment group. By using a weight-drop contusion SCI model, the rats in the SCI group and EPO treatment group were sacrificed at 24 hours and 7 days subsequently. The Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan （BBB） scores were examined for locomotor function. Pathological changes were observed after HE staining. The expressions of thrombospondin-2 （TSP-1） and TGF-β were determined by immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting. Results Slighter locomotor dysfunction was discovered and it was recovered abruptly as higher BBB scores were found in the EPO treatment group than in the SCI group （P 〈0.01）. Pathologically, progressive disruption of the dorsal white matter and regeneration of a few neurons were also observed in SCI rats. TSP-1 and TGF-β expression increased at 24 hours and 7 days after SCI in the injured segment, and it was higher in the SCI group than in the EPO treatment group. Spinal cord samples from the animals demonstrated a TSP-1 optical density of 112.2±6.8 and TSP-1 positive cells of 5.7±1.3 respectively. After injury, the TSP-1 optical density and cell number increased to 287.2±14.3/mm^2 and 23.2±2.6/mm^2 at 24 hours and to 232.1±13.2/mm^2 and 15.2±2.3/mm^2 at 7 days respectively. When EPO treated rats compared with the SCI rats, the TSP-1 optical density and cell number decreased to 213.1 ±11.6/mm^2 and 11.9±1.6/mm^2 at 24 hours and to 189.9±10.5/mm^2 and 9.3±1.5/mm^2 at 7 days, respectively （P 〈0.01）. In the SCI rats, the TGF-β optical density and positive neuron number were 291.4±15.2/mm^2 and 28.8±4.9/mm^2 at 24 hours and 259.1±12.3/mm^2 and 23.9±4.1/mm^2 at 7 days respectively. They decreased in the EPO treated rats to 222.8±11.9/mm^2 and 13.7±2.1/mm^2 at 24 hours and to 196.5±9.7/mm^2 and 8.7±2.2/mm^2 at 7 days （P 〈0.01）. Conclusions Increased expression of TSP-1 and TGF-β can be found in the injured segment of the spinal cord at 24 hours and 7 days after injury. EPO treatment can effectively prevent pathological alterations from severe spinal cord injury by reduced expression of TSP-1 and TGF-β.
基金supported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism(NIAAA)Neurobiology of Adolescent Drinking In Adulthood(NADIA)Grant#2U01AA019925(to HSS)the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism(NIAAA)R00AA022651(to TAW)the National Institute on Drug Abuse(NIDA)R01DA041455(to KJR)
文摘Adolescent alcohol abuse is a substantive public health problem that has been the subject of intensive study in recent years.Despite reports of a wide range of effects of adolescent intermittent ethanol(AIE)exposure on brain and behavior,little is known about the mechanisms that may underlie those effects,and even less about treatments that might reverse them.Recent studies from our laboratory have indicated that AIE produced enduring changes in astrocyte function and synaptic activity in the hippocampal formation,suggesting the possibility of an alteration in astrocyte-neuronal connectivity and function.We utilized astrocyte-specific,membrane restricted viral labeling paired with immunohistochemistry to perform confocal single cell astrocyte imaging,three-dimensional reconstruction,and quantification of astrocyte morphology in hippocampal area CA1 from adult rats after AIE.Additionally,we assessed the colocalization of astrocyte plasma membrane labeling with immunoreactivity for AMPA-(α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid)glutamate receptor 1,an AMPA receptor subunit and established neuronal marker of excitatory synapses,as a metric of astrocyte-synapse proximity.AIE significantly reduced the colocalization of the astrocyte plasma membrane with synaptic marker puncta in adulthood.This is striking in that it suggests not only an alteration of the physical association of astrocytes with synapses by AIE,but one that lasts into adulthood-well after the termination of alcohol exposure.Perhaps even more notable,the AIE-induced reduction of astrocyte-synapse interaction was reversed by sub-chronic treatment with the clinically used agent,gabapentin(Neurontin),in adulthood.This suggests that a medication in common clinical use may have the potential to reverse some of the enduring effects of adolescent alcohol exposure on brain function.All animal experiments conducted were approved by the Duke University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee(Protocol Registry Number A159-18-07)on July 27,2018.
基金This work was supported by National Institutes of Health Grants(AI105618 to MF,HL11626 to DF)a University of Missouri Research Board Grant(to MF).
文摘Although systemic inflammatory responses attributable to infection may lead to significant lung injury,the precise molecular mechanisms leading to lung damage are poorly understood and therapeutic options remain limited.Here,we show that myeloid monocyte chemotactic protein-inducible protein 1(MCPIP1)plays a central role in protecting against LPS-induced inflammation and lung injury.Myeloid-specific MCPIP1 knockout mice developed spontaneous inflammatory syndromes,but at a late age compared to global MCPIP1 knockout mice.Moreover,mice with a myeloid-specific deletion of MCPIP1 were extremely sensitive to LPS-induced lung injury due to overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines.We identified C/EBPβand C/EBPδ,two critical transcriptional factors that drive cytokine production and lung injury,as targets of MCPIP1 RNase.LPS administration caused MCPIP1 protein degradation in the lungs.Pharmacological inhibition of MALT1,a paracaspase that cleaves MCPIP1,by MI-2 selectively increased the MCPIP1 protein levels in macrophages and in the lungs.Meanwhile,administration of MI-2 protected mice from LPS-induced inflammation,lung injury and death.Collectively,these results indicate that myeloid MCPIP1 is central in controlling LPS-induced inflammation and lung injury.Pharmacological inhibition of MALT1 protease activity may be a good strategy to treat inflammatory diseases by enhancing MCPIP1 expression in myeloid cells.
基金The work was supported in part by an investigator-initiated research grant(SCIRF-2015-1-01)from South Carolina Spinal Cord Injury Research Fund(Columbia,SC,USA)an award from the Soy Health Research Program(SHRP,United Soybean Board,Chesterfield,MO,USA)and earlier R01 grants(CA-091460 and NS-057811)from the National Institutes of Health(Bethesda,MD,USA).
文摘Spinal cord injury(SCI)affects approximately 200,000 individuals per year worldwide.There are more than 27 million people worldwide living with long-term disability due to SCI.Historically,it was thought that the central nervous system(CNS)had little ability for regeneration;however,more recent studies have demonstrated potential for repair within the CNS.Because of this,there exists a renewed interest in the discovery of novel approaches to promote regeneration in the CNS including the spinal cord.It is important to know the roles of the microRNAs(miRNAs)in modulation of pathogenesis in SCI and the potentials of the miRNA-based clinical interventions for controlling post-injury symptoms and improving functional recovery.The miRNAs,which are non-coding RNAs with an average of 22 nucleotides in length,are post-transcriptional gene regulators that cause degradation of the target mRNAs and thus negatively control their translation.This review article focuses on current research related to miRNAs and their roles in modulating SCI symptoms,asserting that miRNAs contribute to critical post-SCI molecular processes including neuroplasticity,functional recovery,astrogliosis,neuropathic pain,inflammation,and apoptosis.In particular,miR-96 provides a promising therapeutic opportunity to improve the outcomes of clinical interventions,including the way SCI injuries are evaluated and treated.
文摘The presynaptic active zone is a dynamic structure that orchestrates regulated release of neurotrans- mitters. Developmental and aging processes, and changes in neuronal network activity can all modulate the number, size and composition of active zone and thereby synaptic efficacy. However, very little is known about the mechanism that controls the structural stability of active zone. By study- ing a model synapse, the Drosophila neuromuscular iunction, our recent work shed light on how two scaffolding proteins at the active zone regulate active zone stability by promoting a localized dephos- phorylation event at the nerve terminal. Here we discuss the major insights from our findings and their implications for future research.
文摘BACKGROUND Inverted papilloma is an uncommon neoplasm in the nasal cavity.It is a histologically benign tumor,but has a high recurrence and local invasion rate.In addition,nasal or skull base lymphoma is another rare neoplasm.The coexistence of these two tumors in one case makes the diagnosis and related treatment difficult.CASE SUMMARY We report a case of an immunocompetent patient,who had a history of inverted papilloma 20 years ago.The patient presented with an infiltrated mass lesion in the nasal cavity with extension to the frontal base.The repeated biopsies revealed inverted papilloma without any malignant transformation.After the patient underwent a frontobasal craniotomy with total tumor excision,the final pathological examination revealed nasal inverted papilloma coexisting with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the skull base.CONCLUSION Based on this case report,while managing a case of an aggressive recurrent inverted papilloma,not only squamous cell carcinoma transformation,but also other invasive malignancy,such as lymphoma,should be considered.
