Publication

Tumor cells often reprogram their metabolism for rapid proliferation. The roles of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in metabolism remodeling and the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Through screening, we found that the lncRNA Actin Gamma 1 Pseudogene (AGPG) is required for increased glycolysis activity and cell proliferation in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Mechanistically, AGPG binds to and stabilizes 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3).

Hydroxysteroid (17?) dehydrogenase type 3 (HSD17B3) deficiency causes a disorder of sex development in humans, where affected males are born with female-appearing external genitalia, but are virilized during puberty. The hormonal disturbances observed in the Hsd17b3 knockout mice (HSD17B3KO), generated in the present study, mimic those found in patients with HSD17B3 mutations. Identical to affected humans, serum T in the adult HSD17B3KO mice was within the normal range, while a striking increase was detected in serum A-dione concentration.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) commonly results in primary diffuse axonal injury (DAI) and associated secondary injuries that evolve through a cascade of pathological mechanisms. We aim at assessing how myelin and oligodendrocytes react to head angular-acceleration-induced TBI in a previously described model. This model induces axonal injuries visible by amyloid precursor protein (APP) expression, predominantly in the corpus callosum and its borders. Brain tissue from a total of 27 adult rats was collected at 24 h, 72 h and 7 d post-injury.

Neuropathic pain caused by peripheral nerve injuries significantly affects sensory perception and quality of life. Accumulating evidence strongly link cholesterol with development and progression of Obesity and Diabetes associated-neuropathies. However, the exact mechanisms of how cholesterol/lipid metabolism in peripheral nervous system (PNS) contributes to the pathogenesis of neuropathy remains poorly understood. Dysregulation of LXR pathways have been identified in many neuropathic models.

Peripheral nerves contain axons and their enwrapping glia cells named Schwann cells (SCs) that are either myelinating (mySCs) or nonmyelinating (nmSCs). Our understanding of other cells in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) remains limited. Here, we provide an unbiased single cell transcriptomic characterization of the nondiseased rodent PNS. We identified and independently confirmed markers of previously underappreciated nmSCs and nerve-associated fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND:
Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5) is a promising intestinal stem cell and carcinoma stem cell marker. We examined the relationship between mismatch repair (MMR) protein deficiency and LGR5 expression in poorly differentiated (PD) colorectal carcinoma (CRC).

METHODS:
In 29 cases of PD-CRC, deficiencies in MMR proteins (MLH1, PMS2, MSH2, MSH6) and ?-catenin expression were identified by immunohistochemistry (IHC). LGR5 expression was examined by the RNAscope assay in tissue microarrays.

BACKGROUND:
Severe early-onset erythroderma and gut inflammation, with massive tissue infiltration of oligoclonal activated T cells are the hallmark of Omenn Syndrome (OS).

OBJECTIVE:
The impact of altered gut homeostasis in the cutaneous manifestations of OS remains to be clarified.

Calorie-rich diets induce hyperphagia and promote obesity, although the underlying mechanisms remain poorly defined. We find that short-term high-fat-diet (HFD) feeding of mice activates prepronociceptin (PNOC)-expressing neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARC). PNOCARC neurons represent a previously unrecognized GABAergic population of ARC neurons distinct from well-defined feeding regulatory AgRP or POMC neurons. PNOCARC neurons arborize densely in the ARC and provide inhibitory synaptic input to nearby anorexigenic POMC neurons.

Medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) have been associated with anti-steatotic effects in hepatocytes. Expression of the MCFA receptor GPR84 (G protein-coupled receptor 84) is induced in immune cells under inflammatory conditions and can promote fibrogenesis. We aimed at deciphering the role of GPR84 in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), exploring its potential as a therapeutic target. GPR84 expression is upregulated in liver from patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), correlating with the histological degree of inflammation and fibrosis.

Human head and neck cancers that develop from the squamous cells of the oropharynx (Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinomas or OPSCC) are commonly associated with the papillomavirus infection. A papillomavirus infection-based mouse model of oropharyngeal tumorigenesis would be valuable for studying the development and treatment of these tumors. We have developed an efficient system using the mouse papillomavirus (MmuPV1) to generate dysplastic oropharyngeal lesions, including tumors, in the soft palate and the base of the tongue of two immune-deficient strains of mice.