Microtubule-associated protein 2-positive cells derived from microglia possess properties of functional neurons

Microglia are believed to play an important role in the regulation of phagocytosis, neuronal survival, neuronal cell death, and inflammation. Recent studies have demonstrated that microglia are multipotential stem cells that give rise to neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. However, the functional properties of neurons derived from microglia are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the possibility that microglia differentiate into functional neurons. Immunocytochemical study demonstrated that microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2)-positive cells were derived from microglia under differentiation conditions. Intracellular Ca²⁺ imaging study demonstrated that KCl caused no significant changes in [Ca²⁺]_i in microglia, whereas it caused a remarkable increase in [Ca²⁺]_i in microglia-derived cells. Furthermore, electrophysiological study demonstrated that the spike waveform, firing rate, and tetrodotoxin sensitivity of extracellular action potentials evoked by 4-aminopyridine from microglia-derived MAP2-positive cells were nearly identical to those from cultured cortical neurons. These results suggest that microglia-derived MAP2-positive cells possess properties of functional neurons.     

Silencing SOX2 Expression by RNA Interference Inhibits Proliferation,Invasion and Metastasis,and Induces Apoptosis through MAP4K4/JNK Signaling Pathway in Human Laryngeal Cancer TU212 Cells

SRY (sex determining region Y)-box 2 (SOX2) plays an important role in tumor cell metastasis and apoptosis. Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), responsible for 1.5% of all cancers, is one of the most common head and neck malignancies. Accumulating evidence shows that SOX2 is overexpressed in several human tumors, including lung cancer, esophageal carcinoma, pancreatic carcinoma, breast cancer, ovarian carcinoma and glioma. Our study aimed to investigate the silencing effects of SOX2 expression using RNA interference (RNAi) on various biological processes in laryngeal cancer TU212 cells, including proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis. We also studied the involvement of the MAPK/JNK signaling pathway in the biological effects of SOX2 siRNA in TU212 cells. We found that silencing SOX2 decreased the proliferation, migration, and invasion of TU212 cells, and induced apoptosis. This effect of silencing SOX2 could be reversed by silencing MAP4K4. Therefore, we consider SOX2 as a key regulator of the upstream MAP4K4/JNK signaling pathways that could be a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of patients with or prevention of laryngeal cancer.     

Involvement of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) in oral cancer cell motility: a novel biological function of MAP2 in non-neuronal cells

Microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) has been better known for its well-defined role primarily in neurite outgrowth during neuronal development. However, the biological functions of MAP2 in non-neuronal cells, such as epithelial cells, remain largely unknown. In the present study, we sought to investigate the cellular functions of MAP2 by separately establishing stable expression of two MAP2 isoforms, MAP2A and MAP2C, in oral squamous cell carcinoma, Ca9-22. Ectopic expression of MAP2A or MAP2C results in microtubule bundling predominantly at the cell periphery. Remarkably, overexpression of MAP2A but not MAP2C significantly promotes migration of Ca9-22 cells, whereas knockdown of MAP2A expression by specific siRNA oligos dramatically decreases cell migration of HaCaT, an immortalized keratinocyte cell line with abundant endogenous MAP2A. Furthermore, by immunohistochemical studies, MAP2A was shown to highly and selectively express in invasive oral cancer tissues, consistent with its motility-promoting cellular function revealed through in vitro assays. Thus, our findings have not only identified a novel role of MAP2 in non-neuronal cells, but also provided the first implication of MAP2 in malignant oral cancer tissues.     

Alterations of Glial Cells in the Mouse Hippocampus During Postnatal Development

We investigated the postnatal alterations of neurons, astrocyte, oligodendrocyte, and microglia in the mouse hippocampal CA1 sector and dentate gyrus under the same conditions using immunohistochemistry. Neuronal nuclei (NeuN), Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphodiesterase (CNPase), and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba 1) immunoreactivity were measured in 1-, 2-, 4-, and 8-week-old mice. Total number of NeuN-positive neurons was unchanged in the mouse hippocampal CA1 sector and dentate gyrus from 1 to 8 weeks of birth. In contrast, a significant increase in the number of GFAP-positive astrocytes was observed only in the hippocampal CA1 sector of 1-week-old mice when compared with 8-week-old animals. Thereafter, total number of GFAP-positive astrocytes was unchanged in the hippocampal CA1 sector and dentate gyrus from 2 to 8 weeks of birth. For microglia, a significant increase in the number of Iba 1-positive microglia was observed in the hippocampal CA1 sector and dentate gyrus of 1-, 2-, and 4-week-old mice as compared with 8-week-old animals. On the other hand, a significant decrease in the area of expression of CNPase-positive fibers was observed in the hippocampal CA1 sector of 1- and 2-week-old mice as compared with 8-week-old animals. In dentate gyrus, a significant decrease in the area of expression of CNPase-positive fibers was found in 1-, 2-, and 4-week-old mice. Furthermore, our double-labeled immunostaining showed that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) immunoreactivity was observed in GFAP-positive astrocytes and Iba 1-positive microglia in the hippocampal CA1 sector and dentate gyrus of 1- and 2-week-old mice. These results show that glial cells may play some role in the maintenance and neuronal functions of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons and granule cells of dentate gyrus during postnatal development. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that glial BDNF may play an important role in the maturation of oligodendrocyte in the hippocampal CA1 sector and dentate gyrus during postnatal development. Thus, our findings provide valuable information on the developmental processes.     

SOX2 and OCT4 mRNA-Expressing Cells,Detected by Molecular Beacons,Localize to the Center of Neurospheres during Differentiation

Neurospheres are used as in vitro assay to measure the properties of neural stem cells. To investigate the molecular and phenotypic heterogeneity of neurospheres, molecular beacons (MBs) targeted against the stem cell markers OCT4 and SOX2 were designed, and synthesized with a 2’-O-methyl RNA backbone. OCT4 and SOX2 MBs were transfected into human embryonic mesencephalon derived cells, which spontaneously form neurospheres when grown on poly-L-ornitine/fibronectin matrix and medium complemented with bFGF. OCT4 and SOX2 gene expression were tracked in individual cell using the MBs. Quantitative image analysis every day for seven days showed that the OCT4 and SOX2 mRNA-expressing cells clustered in the centre of the neurospheres cultured in differentiation medium. By contrast, cells at the periphery of the differentiating spheres developed neurite outgrowths and expressed the tyrosine hydroxylase protein, indicating terminal differentiation. Neurospheres cultured in growth medium contained OCT4 and SOX2-positive cells distributed throughout the entire sphere, and no differentiating neurones. Gene expression of SOX2 and OCT4 mRNA detected by MBs correlated well with gene and protein expression measured by qRT-PCR and immunostaining, respectively. These experimental data support the theoretical model that stem cells cluster in the centre of neurospheres, and demonstrate the use of MBs for the spatial localization of specific gene-expressing cells within heterogeneous cell populations.     

Delivery of BR2‐SOX17 fusion protein can inhibit cell survival,proliferation, and invasion in gastric cancer cells through regulating Klotho gene expression

The prognosis of advanced gastric cancer is poor and understanding the biology and subsequent development of new targeting therapy is still an urgent need. This study was conducted to explore the effect of BR2 (a 17‐amino acid peptide)‐SOX17 (human sex determining region Y (SRY)‐related high‐mobility group (HMG) box protein family member 17) fusion protein on Klotho gene expression in gastric cancer cells. The regulatory effects of SOX17 on Klotho gene in gastric cancer cells were tested using dual‐luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. The therapeutic effects of BR2‐SOX17 were evaluated by proliferation, colony formation, invasion assay, and cell apoptosis analysis. Results showed that SOX17 enhanced Klotho gene expression in gastric adenocarcinoma cells through binding to the promoter of Klotho gene. BR2‐SOX17 fusion protein was effective in delivering SOX17 into gastric cancer cells and subsequently inhibited the cell proliferation, colony formation, and invasion, increased E‐cadherin protein expression, decreased vimentin protein expression, as well as induced apoptosis. Our findings suggested SOX17 can bind to the promoter of Klotho gene to enhance Klotho gene expression in gastric cancer cells. The fused BR2‐SOX17 protein is an effective agent for targeting therapy of gastric cancer.     

Deoxycholic acid (DCA) confers an intestinal phenotype on esophageal squamous epithelium via induction of the stemness-associated reprogramming factors OCT4 and SOX2

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is essentially a metaplasia in which the normal stratified squamous epithelium is replaced by columnar epithelium. This study focuses on the involvement of OCT4 and SOX2, 2 key cell-reprogramming factors, in the deoxycholic acid (DCA)-induced expression of the intestinal hallmarks Cdx2 and MUC2 using both in vivo and in vitro models. Up-regulated expression of OCT4 and down-regulated expression of SOX2 were observed in BE compared with normal esophagus and esophagitis. Consistent with the data in vivo, DCA induced time-dependent expression of OCT4 at both the mRNA and protein levels and decreased nuclear expression of SOX2 in Het-1A cells. Down-regulation of OCT4 expression by siRNA abrogated DCA-induced expression of Cdx2 and MUC2, whereas siRNA against SOX2 significantly upregulated the expression of both Cdx2 and MUC2. Our data indicate that both OCT4 and SOX2 play important roles in the development of BE triggered by bile acid reflux.     

LncRNA MALAT1/miR‐129 axis promotes glioma tumorigenesis by targeting SOX2

We aimed to explore the interaction among lncRNA MALAT1, miR‐129 and SOX2. Besides, we would investigate the effect of MALAT1 on the proliferation of glioma stem cells and glioma tumorigenesis. Differentially expressed lncRNAs in glioma cells and glioma stem cells were screened out with microarray analysis. The targeting relationship between miR‐129 and MALAT1 or SOX2 was validated by dual‐luciferase reporter assay. The expressions of MALAT1, miR‐129 and SOX2mRNA in both glioma non‐stem cells and glioma stem cells were examined by qRT‐PCR assay. The impact of MALAT1 and miR‐129 on glioma stem cell proliferation was observed by CCK‐8 assay, EdU assay and sphere formation assay. The protein expression of SOX2 was determined by western blot. The effects of MALAT1 and miR‐129 on glioma tumour growth were further confirmed using xenograft mouse model. The mRNA expression of MALAT1 was significantly up‐regulated in glioma stem cells compared with non‐stem cells, while miR‐129 was significantly down‐regulated in glioma stem cells. MALAT1 knockdown inhibited glioma stem cell proliferation via miR‐129 enhancement. Meanwhile, miR‐129 directly targeted at SOX2 and suppressed cell viability and proliferation of glioma stem cells by suppressing SOX2 expression. The down‐regulation of MALAT1 and miR‐129 overexpression both suppressed glioma tumour growth via SOX2 expression promotion in vivo. MALAT1 enhanced glioma stem cell viability and proliferation abilities and promoted glioma tumorigenesis through suppressing miR‐129 and facilitating SOX2 expressions.     

Toll-like Receptor 2 Mediates Peripheral Nerve Injury-induced NADPH Oxidase 2 Expression in Spinal Cord Microglia

We have previously reported that NADPH oxidase 2 (Nox2) is up-regulated in spinal cord microglia after spinal nerve injury, demonstrating that it is critical for microglia activation and subsequent pain hypersensitivity. However, the mechanisms and molecules involved in Nox2 induction have not been elucidated. Previous studies have shown that Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are involved in nerve injury-induced spinal cord microglia activation. In this study, we investigated the role of TLR in Nox2 expression in spinal cord microglia after peripheral nerve injury. Studies using TLR knock-out mice have shown that nerve injury-induced microglial Nox2 up-regulation is abrogated in TLR2 but not in TLR3 or -4 knock-out mice. Intrathecal injection of lipoteichoic acid, a TLR2 agonist, induced Nox2 expression in spinal cord microglia both at the mRNA and protein levels. Similarly, lipoteichoic acid stimulation induced Nox2 expression and reactive oxygen species production in primary spinal cord glial cells in vitro. Studies on intracellular signaling pathways indicate that NF-κB and p38 MAP kinase activation is required for TLR2-induced Nox2 expression in glial cells. Conclusively, our data show that TLR2 mediates nerve injury-induced Nox2 gene expression in spinal cord microglia via NF-κB and p38 activation and thereby may contribute to spinal cord microglia activation.     

MAT2A基因小干扰RNA诱导人肝癌细胞凋亡的分子机制

为探讨甲硫氨酸腺苷转移酶2A(MAT2A)小干扰RNA对人肝癌细胞生长和细胞凋亡的影响及其机 制,采用脂质体转染法将MAT2A小干扰RNA质粒表达载体转染人肝癌细胞系Bel 7402细胞、HepG 2细胞和 HepG3B细胞.半定量RT PCR检测MAT2A mRNA表达,Western印迹检测MAT2A 蛋白质表达, M TT法观察MAT2A小干扰RNA对肝癌细胞生长的影响,流式细胞仪及DAPI染色检测siRNA对肝癌细 胞凋亡的影响.为探讨其作用机制, 进一步检测转染后肝癌细胞MAT的活性、MAT1A mRNA表 达及SAM、SAH含量.结果发现, MAT2A小干扰RNA特异性抑制人肝癌细胞MAT2A mRNA和蛋白质 的表达, 刺激MAT表达由MAT2A向MAT1A转变, 降低了肝癌细胞中MATⅡ活性（P<005） ,从而诱导肝癌细胞凋亡; MAT2A小干扰RNA诱导Bel－7402细胞、HepG 2细胞、 Hep 3B细胞凋亡 指数分别为19．3%±2．8%、22．8%±3．5%、21．8%±4．2%, 较对照组siRNA(凋亡指数为5 2%±19%)具有明显差异(P<005).DAPI染色显示, MAT2A小干扰RNA转染组可见多个细胞核 浓缩、碎裂成蓝色的小块状,染色质凝聚,形成典型的凋亡小体, 而对照siRNA转染组未发现典型的 凋亡小体.肝癌细胞的生长也受到抑制,MAT2A小干扰RNA转染Bel 7402细胞、HepG 2细胞 、HepG3B细胞72 h后,细胞生长抑制率达高峰,分别为39．62%、41．27%、38．84%.肝癌细胞 中SAM含量明显升高(P<001),而SAH含量改变不明显, SAM/SAH变化伴随SAM含量变化而改 变.提示靶向MAT2A基因的siRNA通过升高肝癌细胞中SAM含量,刺激MAT表达由MAT2A向MAT1A转变, 从而诱导肝癌细胞凋亡,抑制肝癌细胞生长.