Publication

Stromal-epithelial interactions are critical to the morphogenesis, differentiation, and homeostasis of the prostate, but the molecular identity and anatomy of discrete stromal cell types is poorly understood. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we identified and validated the in situ localization of three smooth muscle subtypes (prostate smooth muscle, pericytes, and vascular smooth muscle) and two novel fibroblast subtypes in human prostate. Peri-epithelial fibroblasts (APOD+) wrap around epithelial structures, whereas interstitial fibroblasts (C7+) are interspersed in extracellular matrix.

The dorsal vagal complex (DVC) in the hindbrain, composed of the area postrema, nucleus of the solitary tract, and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, plays a critical role in modulating satiety. The incretins glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) act directly in the brain to modulate feeding, and receptors for both are expressed in the DVC.

This brief report collects the program and abstracts of the Society on NeuroImmune Pharmacology (SNIP) COVID-19 Virtual Workshop held on April 9, 2021. The workshop consisted of four symposia: Symposium 1: Molecular approaches to COVID-19 pathogenesis and underlying mechanisms; Symposium 2: Therapeutic and vaccine approaches to COVID-19; Symposium 3: Early Career Investigator talks; and Symposium 4: Diversity and Inclusion SNIP Committee (DISC) program: Well-being and reflections. The workshop also featured four special talks on COVID-19 and funding opportunities from the National Institute

Controlling cell proliferation is critical for organism development, tissue homeostasis, disease, and regeneration. IQGAP3 has been shown to be required for proper cell proliferation and migration, and is associated to a number of cancers. Moreover, its expression is inversely correlated with the overall survival rate in the majority of cancers. Here, we show that IQGAP3 expression is elevated in cervical cancer and that in these cancers IQGAP3 high expression is correlated with an increased lethality.

Lower urinary tract or voiding disorders are prevalent across all ages and affect over 40% of adults over 40 years old leading to decreased quality of life and high healthcare costs. The pontine micturition center (PMC; ie, Barrington's nucleus) contains a large population of neurons that localize the stress-related neuropeptide, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and project to neurons in the spinal cord to regulate micturition. How the PMC and CRH-expressing neurons in the PMC control volitional micturition is of critical importance for human voiding disorders.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), characterized by dense desmoplastic stroma laid down by pancreatic stellate cells (PSC), has no reliable diagnostic biomarkers for timely detection. A multi-center cohort of PDAC patients and controls (chronic pancreatitis, intra-ductal papillary neoplasms, gallstones and otherwise healthy) donated serum in an ethically approved manner.

Snail is a dedicated transcriptional repressor and acts as a master inducer of EMT and metastasis, yet the underlying signaling cascades triggered by Snail still remain elusive. Here, we report that Snail promotes colorectal cancer (CRC) migration by preventing non-coding RNA LOC113230-mediated degradation of argininosuccinate synthase 1 (ASS1). LOC113230 is a novel Snail target gene, and Snail binds to the functional E-boxes within its proximal promoter to repress its expression in response to TGF-β induction.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a ubiquitous human pathogen that can be cleared by host immunity. Nonetheless, a small percentage of the patients develop persistent infection with oncogenic HPV, which poses an increased risk of developing HPV-associated malignancy. While cell-mediated immunity is a known systemic factor, local factors that influence persistent HPV infection have not been fully investigated. HPV-related head/neck cancers have a strong site preference for the oropharynx, suggesting the existence of unique local factors that promote HPV-induced oncogenesis.

Immune checkpoints are a set of molecules dysregulated in several human and canine cancers and aberrations of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis are often correlated with a worse prognosis. To gain an insight into the role of immune checkpoints in canine diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (cDLBCL), we investigated PD-L1, PD-1 and CD8A expression by RNAscope. Results were correlated with several clinico-pathological features, including treatment, Ki67 index and outcome. A total of 33 dogs treated with chemotherapy (n = 12) or chemoimmunotherapy with APAVAC (n = 21) were included.

Fatty liver is closely associated with elevated concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) and a low level of very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) in blood of dairy cows. High NEFA inhibit the VLDL synthesis and assembly, and cause hepatic triacylglycerol (TAG) deposition. Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3), a mitochondrial deacetylase, antagonizes NEFA-induced TAG accumulation through modulating expressions of fatty acid synthesis and oxidation genes in cow hepatocytes. However, the role of SIRT3 in the VLDL synthesis and assembly was largely unknown.