LncRNA CDKN2B-AS1 hinders the proliferation and facilitates apoptosis of ox-LDL-induced vascular smooth muscle cells via the ceRNA network of CDKN2B-AS1/miR-126-5p/PTPN7
International journal of cardiology
Li, J;Chen, J;Zhang, F;Li, J;An, S;Cheng, M;Li, J;
PMID: 34384839 | DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2021.08.009
The patterns of lncRNA CDKN2B-AS1 in coronary heart disease (CHD) have been extensively studied. This study investigated the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network of CDKN2B-AS1 in coronary atherosclerosis (CAS).Microarray analyses were performed to screen out the CHD-related lncRNAs (CDKN2B-AS1) and the downstream microRNAs (miR-126-5p). The expression of CDKN2B-AS1 in serum of patients with CHD and healthy volunteers was detected. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were treated with oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) to establish cell model. Then pcDNA-CDKN2B-AS1 and/or miR-126-5p mimic were transfected into ox-LDL-treated VSMCs to estimate cell proliferation, apoptosis and inflammation. The ceRNA network of CDKN2B-AS1 along with the possible pathway in CHD was testified.CDKN2B-AS1 expression was low in patients with CHD and ox-LDL-treated VSMCs. Upon CDKN2B-AS1 overexpression, TNF-α, NF-κB and IL-1β levels in VSMCs were decreased, the proliferation of VSMCs was inhibited and the apoptosis rate was increased. Overexpression of miR-126-5p could reverse these trends. CDKN2B-AS1 as a ceRNA competitively bound to miR-126-5p to upregulate PTPN7. CDKN2B-AS1 inhibited VSMC proliferation and accelerated apoptosis by inhibiting the PI3K-Akt pathway.LncRNA CDKN2B-AS1 upregulates PTPN7 by absorbing miR-126-5p and inhibits the PI3K-Akt pathway, thus hindering the proliferation and accelerating apoptosis of VSMCs induced by ox-LDL, thus being a therapeutic approach for CAS.
miR-29a-3p inhibits endometrial cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion by targeting VEGFA/CD C42/PAK1
Geng, A;Luo, L;Ren, F;Zhang, L;Zhou, H;Gao, X;
PMID: 34289832 | DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-08506-z
This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of miR-29a-3p in regulating endometrial cancer (EC) progression.A total of 72 EC patients were enrolled. EC cells were transfected. Cells proliferation, cloning ability, migration and invasion were researched by MTT assay, colony formation experiment, cell scratch test and Transwell experiment respectively. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed. Xenograft experiment was conducted using nude mice. miR-29a-3p, VEGFA, CDC42, PAK1 and p-PAK1 expression in cells/tissues was investigated by qRT-PCR and Western blot.miR-29a-3p expression was aberrantly reduced in EC patients, which was associated with poor outcome. miR-29a-3p inhibited EC cells proliferation, cloning formation, migration and invasion (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01 or P < 0.001). miR-29a-3p inhibited CDC42/PAK1 signaling pathway activity in EC cells (P < 0.01). VEGFA expression was directly inhibited by miR-29a-3p. miR-29a-3p suppressed EC cells malignant phenotype in vitro and growth in vivo by targeting VEGFA/CDC42/PAK1 signaling pathway (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).miR-29a-3p inhibits EC cells proliferation, migration and invasion by targeting VEGFA/CDC42/PAK1 signaling pathway.
Variants of human CLDN9 cause mild to profound hearing loss
Ramzan, M;Philippe, C;Belyantseva, IA;Nakano, Y;Fenollar-Ferrer, C;Tona, R;Yousaf, R;Basheer, R;Imtiaz, A;Faridi, R;Munir, Z;Idrees, H;Salman, M;Nambot, S;Vitobello, A;Kartti, S;Zarrik, O;Witmer, PD;Sobreria, N;Ibrahimi, A;Banfi, B;Moutton, S;Friedman, TB;Naz, S;
PMID: 34265170 | DOI: 10.1002/humu.24260
Hereditary deafness is clinically and genetically heterogeneous. We investigated deafness segregating as a recessive trait in two families. Audiological examinations revealed an asymmetric mild to profound hearing loss with childhood or adolescent onset. Exome sequencing of probands identified a homozygous c.475G>A;p.(Glu159Lys) variant of CLDN9 (NM_020982.4) in one family and a homozygous c.370_372dupATC;p.(Ile124dup) CLDN9 variant in an affected individual of a second family. Claudin 9 (CLDN9) is an integral membrane protein and constituent of epithelial bicellular tight junctions (TJs) that form semipermeable, paracellular barriers between inner ear perilymphatic and endolymphatic compartments. Computational structural modeling predicts that substitution of a lysine for glutamic acid p.(Glu159Lys) alters one of two cis-interactions between CLDN9 protomers. The p.(Ile124dup) variant is predicted to locally misfold CLDN9 and mCherry tagged p.(Ile124dup) CLDN9 is not targeted to the HeLa cell membrane. In situ hybridization shows that mouse Cldn9 expression increases from embryonic to postnatal development and persists in adult inner ears coinciding with prominent CLDN9 immunoreactivity in TJs of epithelia outlining the scala media. Together with the Cldn9 deaf mouse and a homozygous frameshift of CLDN9 previously associated with deafness, the two bi-allelic variants of CLDN9 described here point to CLDN9 as a bona fide human deafness gene.
Visualization of HIV-1 reservoir: an imaging perspective
Current opinion in HIV and AIDS
Chapon, C;Moysi, E;Naninck, T;Mayet, C;Petrovas, C;
PMID: 34039844 | DOI: 10.1097/COH.0000000000000691
The persistence of HIV-1-infected cells, despite the introduction of the combinatorial antiretroviral therapy, is a major obstacle to HIV-1 eradication. Understanding the nature of HIV reservoir will lead to novel therapeutic approaches for the functional cure or eradication of the virus. In this review, we will update the recent development in imaging applications toward HIV-1/simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) viral reservoirs research and highlight some of their limitations.CD4 T cells are the primary target of HIV-1/SIV and the predominant site for productive and latent reservoirs. This viral reservoir preferentially resides in lymphoid compartments that are difficult to access, which renders sampling and measurements problematical and a hurdle for understanding HIV-1 pathogenicity. Novel noninvasive technologies are needed to circumvent this and urgently help to find a cure for HIV-1. Recent technological advancements have had a significant impact on the development of imaging methodologies allowing the visualization of relevant biomarkers with high resolution and analytical capacity. Such methodologies have provided insights into our understanding of cellular and molecular interactions in health and disease.Imaging of the HIV-1 reservoir can provide significant insights for the nature (cell types), spatial distribution, and the role of the tissue microenvironment for its in vivo dynamics and potentially lead to novel targets for the virus elimination.
SALIVARY MICRORNA 155, 146a/b, AND 203: POTENTIAL NONINVASIVE DIAGNOSTIC BIOMARKERS OF PERIODONTITIS AND DIABETES
Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology
Al-Rawi, N;Al–Marzooq, F;Hamoudi, R;
| DOI: 10.1016/j.oooo.2021.03.038
Background Dysregulated expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) plays important role in the initiation and progression of both diabetes and periodontitis. Objective The aim of the study is to identify miRNAs in saliva as potential predictive biomarkers of periodontal disease among patients with diabetes mellitus. Methods MiRNAs were extracted from the saliva of 24 adult subjects with diabetes mellitus and 27 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Each group was subdivided into periodontally healthy or having periodontitis. In silico analysis identified 4 miRNAs (miRNA 155, 146 a/b and 203) as immune modulators. The expression of miRNAs 146a/b, 155, and 203 was tested using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The expression levels in the study groups were compared to explore the effect of diabetes and/or periodontitis. Results In our cohort, the 4 miRNAs expressed were higher in patients with periodontitis and/or diabetes. miRNA 155 and miRNA 146 a/b were the most reliable predictors of periodontitis among subjects without diabetes with an optimum cutoff value of
Integrative analysis of the human brain mural cell transcriptome
Journal of cerebral blood flow and metabolism : official journal of the International Society of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism
Gastfriend, BD;Foreman, KL;Katt, ME;Palecek, SP;Shusta, EV;
PMID: 34027687 | DOI: 10.1177/0271678X211013700
Brain mural cells, including pericytes and vascular smooth muscle cells, are important for vascular development, blood-brain barrier function, and neurovascular coupling, but the molecular characteristics of human brain mural cells are incompletely characterized. Single cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) is increasingly being applied to assess cellular diversity in the human brain, but the scarcity of mural cells in whole brain samples has limited their molecular profiling. Here, we leverage the combined power of multiple independent human brain scRNA-seq datasets to build a transcriptomic database of human brain mural cells. We use this combined dataset to determine human-mouse species differences in mural cell transcriptomes, culture-induced dedifferentiation of human brain pericytes, and human mural cell organotypicity, with several key findings validated by RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization. Together, this work improves knowledge regarding the molecular constituents of human brain mural cells, serves as a resource for hypothesis generation in understanding brain mural cell function, and will facilitate comparative evaluation of animal and in vitro models.
NIH HEAL Initiative: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Preclinical Program for Non-Addictive Pain Therapeutic Development
Woller, S;Tamiz, A;Iyengar, S;
| DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2021.03.011
Background: The NIH Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative aims to focus efforts on advancing scientific solutions to stem the opioid crisis, improving prevention and treatment of opioid misuse/addiction, and enhancing pain management. Goal: NINDS is charged with accelerating the discovery and development of new non-addictive pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic pain therapeutics as part of the HEAL Initiative. NINDS established the Preclinical Screening Platform for Pain (PSPP) to accelerate and enhance testing of novel, non-addictive pain therapeutics. This program will evaluate new, as well as repurposed, small molecules, biologics, devices, and natural products across a range of pain conditions. PSPP is accepting assets from academic and industry sponsors, worldwide. Here we describe efforts within the PSPP program. The overall goal of the PSPP program is to provide an efficient, rigorous, one-stop in vivo screening resource to accelerate identification and efficacy profiling of non-opioid therapeutics for the treatment of pain. Under NINDS direction, preclinical testing of submitted agents is performed by contract facilities on a blinded and confidential basis at no cost to the PSPP participants. Test candidates are evaluated in a suite of in vivo pain-related endpoints and models, following in vitro receptor profiling, pharmacokinetic and safety assessment. Importantly, test candidates are also evaluated in models of abuse liability. We will describe the advances made to date towards establishing program goals of evaluating assets in a rigorous and reproducible manner.
Molecular Pathogenesis of Primary Gastrointestinal Tract Lymphomas
Seminars in Diagnostic Pathology
Toth, L;Vasef, M;
| DOI: 10.1053/j.semdp.2021.04.003
Primary gastrointestinal lymphomas are rare though the incidence is significantly increased among adult patients in recent years. The majority of the patients present with symptoms overlapping with other gastrointestinal disorders and imaging findings are not specific. Therefore, histologic examination is necessary to establish the diagnosis. Insight into etiologies, molecular pathogenesis and critical signaling pathways in lymphomas including gastrointestinal lymphomas has significantly expanded within the last 3 decades. Given the increasing demand for incorporation of genetic data, the appropriate handling and processing of small endoscopic gastrointestinal biopsy samples of suspected lymphoma is becoming extremely crucial and at times challenging. The use of next generation sequencing with analysis of genes relevant to diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic targets continues to have a significant promising impact on management of patients in lymphoid malignancies. In particular, the identification of constitutively activated pathways and the emergence of novel targeted medications predict that more effective therapies will be identified for these disorders in the coming years.
ChAdOx1-vectored Lassa fever vaccine elicits a robust cellular and humoral immune response and protects guinea pigs against lethal Lassa virus challenge
Fischer, RJ;Purushotham, JN;van Doremalen, N;Sebastian, S;Meade-White, K;Cordova, K;Letko, M;Jeremiah Matson, M;Feldmann, F;Haddock, E;LaCasse, R;Saturday, G;Lambe, T;Gilbert, SC;Munster, VJ;
PMID: 33654106 | DOI: 10.1038/s41541-021-00291-x
Lassa virus (LASV) infects hundreds of thousands of individuals each year, highlighting the need for the accelerated development of preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic interventions. To date, no vaccine has been licensed for LASV. ChAdOx1-Lassa-GPC is a chimpanzee adenovirus-vectored vaccine encoding the Josiah strain LASV glycoprotein precursor (GPC) gene. In the following study, we show that ChAdOx1-Lassa-GPC is immunogenic, inducing robust T-cell and antibody responses in mice. Furthermore, a single dose of ChAdOx1-Lassa-GPC fully protects Hartley guinea pigs against morbidity and mortality following lethal challenge with a guinea pig-adapted LASV (strain Josiah). By contrast, control vaccinated animals reached euthanasia criteria 10-12 days after infection. Limited amounts of LASV RNA were detected in the tissues of vaccinated animals. Viable LASV was detected in only one animal receiving a single dose of the vaccine. A prime-boost regimen of ChAdOx1-Lassa-GPC in guinea pigs significantly increased antigen-specific antibody titers and cleared viable LASV from the tissues. These data support further development of ChAdOx1-Lassa-GPC and testing in non-human primate models of infection.
P21‑activated kinase 1 mediates angiotensin II‑induced differentiation of human atrial fibroblasts via the JNK/c‑Jun pathway
Molecular medicine reports
Zhou, Y;Xie, Y;Li, T;Zhang, P;Chen, T;Fan, Z;Tan, X;
PMID: 33495806 | DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2021.11846
Cardiac fibrosis is a common pathophysiological condition involved in numerous types of cardiovascular disease. The renin‑angiotensin system, particularly angiotensin II (AngII), serves an important role in cardiac fibrosis and remodeling. Furthermore, p21‑activated kinase 1 (PAK1) is a highly conserved serine/threonine protein kinase, which is abundantly expressed in all regions of the heart. However, the role of PAK1 in AngII‑mediated activation of cardiac fibroblasts remains unknown. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the role of PAK1 in cardiac fibroblasts and its underlying mechanisms. Human cardiac fibroblasts (HCFs) were cultured and treated with PAK1 inhibitor IPA‑3 or transduced with PAK1 short hairpin (sh)RNA by lentiviral particles to silence PAK1 expression levels. Subsequently, the cell proliferation and migration abilities of the HCFs were determined. Western blot analysis was used to detect the phosphorylation status of Janus kinase (JNK) and c‑Jun. A Cell Counting Kit‑8 assay showed that PAK1 inhibition following treatment of HCFs with 5 µM IPA‑3 or PAK1‑shRNA, significantly attenuated AngII‑induced proliferation of fibroblasts. In addition, wound healing and Transwell migration assays demonstrated that inhibition of PAK1 significantly inhibited AngII‑induced cell migration. Finally, decreased PAK1 expression levels downregulated AngII‑mediated upregulation of α‑smooth muscle actin (α‑SMA), collagen I, phosphorylated (p)‑JNK and p‑c‑Jun, a downstream molecule of JNK signaling. These findings indicate that PAK1 contributes to AngII‑induced proliferation, migration and transdifferentiation of HCFs via the JNK/c‑Jun pathway.
Pre-conditioning modifies the TME to enhance solid tumor CAR T cell efficacy and endogenous protective immunity
Molecular therapy : the journal of the American Society of Gene Therapy
Murad, JP;Tilakawardane, D;Park, AK;Lopez, LS;Young, CA;Gibson, J;Yamaguchi, Y;Lee, HJ;Kennewick, KT;Gittins, BJ;Chang, WC;Tran, CP;Martinez, C;Wu, AM;Reiter, RE;Dorff, TB;Forman, SJ;Priceman, SJ;
PMID: 33647456 | DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.02.024
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has led to impressive clinical responses in patients with hematological malignancies; however, its effectiveness in patients with solid tumors has been limited. While CAR T cells for the treatment of advanced prostate and pancreas cancer, including those targeting prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA), are being clinically evaluated and are anticipated to show bioactivity, their safety and the impact of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) have not been faithfully explored preclinically. Using a novel human PSCA knockin (hPSCA-KI) immunocompetent mouse model, we evaluated the safety and therapeutic efficacy of PSCA-CAR T cells. We demonstrated that cyclophosphamide (Cy) pre-conditioning significantly modified the immunosuppressive TME and was required to uncover the efficacy of PSCA-CAR T cells in metastatic prostate and pancreas cancer models, with no observed toxicities in normal tissues with endogenous expression of PSCA. This combination dampened the immunosuppressive TME, generated pro-inflammatory myeloid and T cell signatures in tumors, and enhanced the recruitment of antigen-presenting cells, as well as endogenous and adoptively transferred T cells, resulting in long-term anti-tumor immunity.
Spinal macrophages resolve nociceptive hypersensitivity after peripheral injury
Niehaus, JK;Taylor-Blake, B;Loo, L;Simon, JM;Zylka, MJ;
PMID: 33667343 | DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.02.018
Peripheral nerve injury induces long-term pro-inflammatory responses in spinal cord glial cells that facilitate neuropathic pain, but the identity of endogenous cells that resolve spinal inflammation has not been determined. Guided by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), we found that MRC1+ spinal cord macrophages proliferated and upregulated the anti-inflammatory mediator Cd163 in mice following superficial injury (SI; nerve intact), but this response was blunted in nerve-injured animals. Depleting spinal macrophages in SI animals promoted microgliosis and caused mechanical hypersensitivity to persist. Conversely, expressing Cd163 in spinal macrophages increased Interleukin 10 expression, attenuated micro- and astrogliosis, and enduringly alleviated mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity in nerve-injured animals. Our data indicate that MRC1+ spinal macrophages actively restrain glia to limit neuroinflammation and resolve mechanical pain following a superficial injury. Moreover, we show that spinal macrophages from nerve-injured animals mount a dampened anti-inflammatory response but can be therapeutically coaxed to promote long-lasting recovery of neuropathic pain.