FRZB as a key molecule in abdominal aortic aneurysm progression affecting vascular integrity

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), when ruptured, results in high mortality. The identification of molecular pathways involved in AAA progression is required to improve AAA prognosis. The aim of the present study was to assess the key genes for the progression of AAA and their functional role. Genomic and clinical data of three independent cohorts were downloaded from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) ({"type":"entrez-geo","attrs":{"text":"GSE57691","term_id":"57691"}}GSE57691, {"type":"entrez-geo","attrs":{"text":"GSE7084","term_id":"7084"}}GSE7084, and {"type":"entrez-geo","attrs":{"text":"GSE98278","term_id":"98278"}}GSE98278). To develop AAA diagnosis and progression-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs), we used a significance analysis of microarray (SAM). Spearman correlation test and gene set analysis were performed to identify potential enriched pathways for DEGs. Only the Frizzled-related protein (FRZB) gene and chromosome 1 open reading frame 24 (C1orf24) exhibited significant down-regulation in all analyses. With FRZB, the pathways were associated with RHO GTPase and elastin fiber formation. With C1orf24, the pathways were elastic fiber formation, extracellular matrix organization, and cell–cell communication. Since only FRZB was evolutionally conserved in the vertebrates, function of FRZB was validated using zebrafish embryos. Knockdown of frzb remarkably reduced vascular integrity in zebrafish embryos. We believe that FRZB is a key gene involved in AAA initiation and progression affecting vascular integrity.     

Effects of subclinical depression on prefrontal–striatal model-based and model-free learning

Depression is characterized by deficits in the reinforcement learning (RL) process. Although many computational and neural studies have extended our knowledge of the impact of depression on RL, most focus on habitual control (model-free RL), yielding a relatively poor understanding of goal-directed control (model-based RL) and arbitration control to find a balance between the two. We investigated the effects of subclinical depression on model-based and model-free learning in the prefrontal–striatal circuitry. First, we found that subclinical depression is associated with the attenuated state and reward prediction error representation in the insula and caudate. Critically, we found that it accompanies the disrupted arbitration control between model-based and model-free learning in the predominantly inferior lateral prefrontal cortex and frontopolar cortex. We also found that depression undermines the ability to exploit viable options, called exploitation sensitivity. These findings characterize how subclinical depression influences different levels of the decision-making hierarchy, advancing previous conflicting views that depression simply influences either habitual or goal-directed control. Our study creates possibilities for various clinical applications, such as early diagnosis and behavioral therapy design.     

Evaluation of the genotoxic effects of a folk medicine, Petiveria alliacea (Anamu).

Crude extract from a plant known as Petiveria alliacea (Anamu) is used extensively as folk medicine in developing countries like Colombia, South America. Although the plant is known to contain toxic ingredients potential adverse health effects from its use have not been adequately evaluated. We investigated its genotoxic activities by conducting a sister chromatid exchange (SCE) assay using cells in vitro and in vivo. Lymphocytes from humans were treated at 24 h after initiation of culture for 6 h with alcohol extract from the folk medicine. Concentrations of 0, 10, 100, 250, 275, 500, 750, and 1000 micrograms/ml of the extract were used. Significant dose-dependent increase of SCE (3.7-7.4 SCE per cell) were observed (analysis of variances, p less than 0.01). Delay in cell proliferation but not inhibition of mitosis was also observed. In another experiment, mice were exposed once orally to 1x, 200x, 300x and 400x the human daily consumption dose of Anamu. The induction of sister chromatid exchanges in bone marrow cells were investigated. We observed a significant dose dependent increase of SCE compared with the saline control (2.15-4.53; p less than 0.01) and compared with the solvent control (3.04-4.53; p less than 0.01). Our data suggest, therefore, that the folk medicine contains mutagenic and potentially carcinogenic agents although the medicine is not a potent mutagen. Individuals who consume large amounts of this drug may be at risk for development of health problems. Further studies with cells from exposed individuals and from experimental animals should be conducted to provide a better evaluation of health risk from the use of this drug.     

Optimization of cryopreservation condition for hematopoietic stem cells from umbilical cord blood

The conditions for cryopreservation of CD34⁺ hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) from umbilical cord blood (UCB) were optimized with a new cryo-medium containing 10% ethylene glycol (EG) and 2% dimethyl sulfoxide (Me₂SO) using a controlled-rate freezing (CRF) method. After the cryopreservation of mononuclear cells (MNC) from UCB, recoveries of MNC, CD34⁺ cells, and total colony-forming units (CFU) were significantly improved compared to those in the control cryo-medium containing 10% Me₂SO and 2% Dextran-40 (P < 0.05). This study shows that the new cryo-medium and CRF method provide better recoveries of MNC, HSC and total CFU than the control cryo-medium and isopropylalcohol freezing (IPA) method. Therefore, this cryo-medium, combined with the CRF method, is valuable for optimizing cryopreservation conditions for HSC from UCB to obtain satisfactory HSC recovery.     

Plasma Membrane Localized GCaMP-MS4A12 by Orai1 Co-Expression Shows Thapsigargin- and Ca2+-Dependent Fluorescence Increases

Uniquely expressed in the colon, MS4A12 exhibits store-operated Ca²⁺ entry (SOCE) activity. However, compared to MS4A1 (CD20), a Ca²⁺ channel and ideal target for successful leukaemia immunotherapy, MS4A12 has rarely been studied. In this study, we investigated the involvement of MS4A12 in Ca²⁺ influx and expression changes in MS4A12 in human colonic malignancy. Fluorescence of GCaMP-fused MS4A12 (GCaMP-M12) was evaluated to analyse MS4A12 activity in Ca²⁺ influx. Plasma membrane expression of GCaMP-M12 was achieved by homo- or hetero-complex formation with no-tagged MS4A12 (nt-M12) or Orai1, respectively. GCaMP-M12 fluorescence in plasma membrane increased only after thapsigargin-induced depletion of endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ stores, and this fluorescence was inhibited by typical SOCE inhibitors and siRNA for Orai1. Furthermore, GCaMP-MS4A12 and Orai1 co-transfection elicited greater plasma membrane fluorescence than GCaMP-M12 co-transfected with nt-M12. Interestingly, the fluorescence of GCaMP-M12 was decreased by STIM1 over-expression, while increased by siRNA for STIM1 in the presence of thapsigargin and extracellular Ca²⁺. Moreover, immunoprecipitation assay revealed that Orai1 co-expression decreased protein interactions between MS4A12 and STIM1. In human colon tissue, MS4A12 was expressed in the apical region of the colonic epithelium, although its expression was dramatically decreased in colon cancer tissues. In conclusion, we propose that MS4A12 contributes to SOCE through complex formation with Orai1, but does not cooperate with STIM1. Additionally, we discovered that MS4A12 is expressed in the apical membrane of the colonic epithelium and that its expression is decreased with cancer progression.     

Anti-inflammatory actions of plant-derived multiple monoclonal antibody CO17-1A × BR55 related with anti-cancer effects in AOM/DSS-induced colorectal cancer mouse via down-regulating of ERK1/2

Plant-derived multiple monoclonal antibody (mAb) CO17-1A?×?BR55 (mAb^P CO17-1A?×?BR55) produced in transgenic tobacco plants were cross-pollinated with mAb CO17-1A and mAb BR55. Human anti-colorectal cancer multiple mAb CO17-1A?×?BR55 was cloned using pBI121 vector. Mice were given a single intraperitoneal injection of azoxymethane (AOM) with 10?mg/kg body weight. Starting 1 week after the injection, mice received 2% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in the drinking water for 1 week. In addition, the mice were injected intraperitoneal with mAbs dissolved in phosphate buffered saline (100?μg/mouse) twice per week for 4 weeks. Apoptotic cell death, expression of pro-apoptotic proteins, activity of inflammatory cytokines and ERK pathway phosphorylation were assayed by Western blot and TUNEL kit. mAb^P CO17-1A?×?BR55 meaningfully and efficiently suppressed the development of AOM/DSS-induced colorectal inflammation and colorectal tumors, as determined by a reduced activation of inflammatory cytokines, number of colorectal tumor-induced mouse, number of tumor per mouse colon than other mAbs. Cell death by apoptosis was much increased in the mAb^P CO17-1A?×?BR55-treated tumor compared with negative control. Apoptotic cell death and expression of pro-apoptotic proteins including Bax and cleaved caspase-3 were highest in treatment with mAb^P CO17-1A?×?BR55. In addition, mAbP CO17-1A?×?BR55 was meaningfully decreased the expression of inflammatory cytokines, including COX-2, iNOS, p50 and p65, but the expression of PPARγ was significantly increased compared with AOM/DSS-induced carcinogenesis negative control. Moreover, mAb^P CO17-1A?×?BR55 meaningfully repressed the ERK1/2 phosphorylation in AOM/DSS-induced colorectal tumors. Therefore, our results suggest that multiple mAb^P CO17-1A?×?BR55 have meaningful effects of anti-inflammation related with the anti-carcinogenesis in AOM/DSS-induced colorectal tumor by inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation.     

Atomic Layer Deposition of Tin Monosulfide Thin Films

Thin film solar cells made from earth‐abundant, non‐toxic materials are needed to replace the current technology that uses Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)₂ and CdTe, which contain scarce and toxic elements. One promising candidate absorber material is tin monosulfide (SnS). In this report, pure, stoichiometric, single‐phase SnS films were obtained by atomic layer deposition (ALD) using the reaction of bis(N,N′‐diisopropylacetamidinato)tin(II) [Sn(MeC(N‐ⁱPr)₂)₂] and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) at low temperatures (100 to 200 °C). The direct optical band gap of SnS is around 1.3 eV and strong optical absorption (α > 10⁴ cm^?1) is observed throughout the visible and near‐infrared spectral regions. The films are p‐type semiconductors with carrier concentration on the order of 10¹⁶ cm^?3 and hole mobility 0.82–15.3 cm²V^?1s^?1 in the plane of the films. The electrical properties are anisotropic, with three times higher mobility in the direction through the film, compared to the in‐plane direction.     

Analysis of Golgi pH in Chinese hamster ovary cells using ratiometric pH-sensitive fluorescent proteins

Acidic Golgi pH plays an important role in protein glycosylation, one of the critical quality attributes of therapeutic proteins. To determine the intracellular Golgi pH during culture, stable Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell clones expressing pHluorin2, a ratiometric pH-sensitive fluorescent protein (FP), in the cis- and trans-Golgi, were constructed by fusing pHluorin2 with specific targeting proteins, acetylglucosaminyltransferase, and a galactosyltransferase, respectively. Stable CHO cell clones expressing pHluorin2 in the cytoplasm were also constructed. The subcellular localization of FPs was confirmed by immunofluorescence analysis. Live-cell imaging revealed that the intracellular pH (pHi) of clones expressing the ratiometric pH-sensitive FPs converged to a specific pH range (cis-Golgi: 6.4–6.5; trans-Golgi: 5.9–6.0; and cytoplasm: 7.1–7.2). The pHi was successfully evaluated in various culture conditions. Although culture pH was maintained at 7.2 in a bioreactor, the Golgi pH increased with culture time. Elevated ammonia concentration and osmolality were partially responsible for the increased Golgi pH during bioreactor cultures. Taken together, the application of ratiometric pH-sensitive FPs in monitoring the Golgi pH of CHO cells during culture provides a new perspective to improve protein glycosylation through pHi control.