Ginsenoside Rg1 attenuates concanavalin A-induced hepatitis in mice through inhibition of cytokine secretion and lymphocyte infiltration

The effect of ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) on hepatic damage caused by concanavalin A (Con A) has not been fully elucidated. This study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of Rg1 on Con A-induced hepatitis in mice and explore the potential mechanisms of this effect. C57BL/6 mice were divided randomly into the following four experimental groups: phosphate-buffered saline group, Rg1 group, Con A group, Con A + Rg1 group. Mice received Rg1 (20 mg/kg) 3 h before intravenous administration of Con A (15 mg/kg). Levels of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and cytokine production were measured, the amount of phosphorylated IκBα and p65 were tested, the numbers of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T lymphocytes infiltrated in the blood, spleen and liver were calculated, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and interferon-inducible chemokine-10 (CXCL-10) levels were measured and histological examination of the livers was conducted. Pretreatment with Rg1 markedly reduced the elevated levels of serum aminotransferase, ameliorated liver damage and suppressed proinflammatory cytokines secretion via inhibition NF-κB activity following Con A injection of mice. Furthermore, Rg1 administration reduced ICAM-1 and CXCL-10 mRNA expression in the liver as well as the number of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T lymphocytes infiltrating in the liver. Rg1 reduced the incidence of liver damage through inhibition of the proinflammatory response and suppressed the recruitment of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T lymphocytes to the liver. These data indicate that Rg1 represents a novel agent for the treatment of T lymphocyte-dependent liver injury.     

Hypoglycemic dipeptide cyclo (His-Pro) significantly altered plasma proteome in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats and genetically-diabetic (ob/ob) mice

The proteins in plasma perform many important functions in the body, and the protein profiles of the plasma vary under different physiological and pathological conditions. In an attempt to identify novel marker proteins for diabetes prognosis, we examined the effect of hypoglycemic dipeptide cyclo (His-Pro) (CHP) on the differential regulation of plasma proteins in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats and genetically-diabetic (ob/ob) mice. The orally-administrated CHP produced an excellent hypoglycemic effect in both animal models, lowering the average plasma glucose level by over 50 %. In the 2-DE analysis of the plasma, a total of 23 spots among 500 visualized spots were found to be differentially regulated, and they were identified by MALDI/TOF mass spectrometry. These proteins include the down-regulation of Apo E and the up-regulation of FGA, Apo A-I, Apo A-IV, and A1M in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Moreover, CHP significantly reduced the plasma protein levels of FGB, FGC, F12, C1QTNF5, and SPA3K, as well as increased the abundance of A1M, A2M, Apo E, and TTR in genetically-diabetic mice. In conclusion, alteration in the regulation of these proteins indicates that this treatment may be successful in overcoming the diabetic state. The present proteomic data can serve as the basis for the development of specific evidence-based interventions allowing for the prevention and treatment of diabetes.     

Arabidopsis CROLIN1, a Novel Plant Actin-binding Protein,Functions in Cross-linking and Stabilizing Actin Filaments

Higher order actin filament structures are necessary for cytoplasmic streaming, organelle movement, and other physiological processes. However, the mechanism by which the higher order cytoskeleton is formed in plants remains unknown. In this study, we identified a novel actin-cross-linking protein family (named CROLIN) that is well conserved only in the plant kingdom. There are six isovariants of CROLIN in the Arabidopsis genome, with CROLIN1 specifically expressed in pollen. In vitro biochemical analyses showed that CROLIN1 is a novel actin-cross-linking protein with binding and stabilizing activities. Remarkably, CROLIN1 can cross-link actin bundles into actin networks. CROLIN1 loss of function induces pollen germination and pollen tube growth hypersensitive to latrunculin B. All of these results demonstrate that CROLIN1 may play an important role in stabilizing and remodeling actin filaments by binding to and cross-linking actin filaments.     

Ribosomal protein S3 is secreted as a homodimer in cancer cells

Protein secretion is a general phenomenon by which cells communicate with the extracellular environment. Secretory proteins, including hormones, enzymes, toxins, and antimicrobial peptides have various functions in extracellular environments. Here, we determined that ribosomal protein S3 (rpS3) is homodimerized and secreted in several cancer cell lines such as HT1080 (human fibrosarcoma) and MPC11 (mouse plasmacytoma). Moreover, we found that the secreted rpS3 protein increased in doxorubicin-resistant MPC11 cells compared to that in MPC11 cells. In addition, we also detected that the level of secreted rpS3 increased in more malignant cells, which were established with continuous exposure of cigarette smoke condensate. These findings suggest that the secreted rpS3 protein is an indicator of malignant tumors.     

Early manipulation of juvenile hormone has sexually dimorphic effects on mature adult behavior in Drosophila melanogaster

Hormones are critical for the development, maturation, and maintenance of physiological systems; therefore, understanding their involvement during maturation of the brain is important for the elucidation of mechanisms by which adults become behaviorally competent. Changes in exogenous and endogenous factors encountered during sexual maturation can have long lasting effects in mature adults. In this study, we investigated the role of the gonadotropic hormone, juvenile hormone (JH), in the modulation of adult behaviors in Drosophila. Here we utilized methoprene (a synthetic JH analog) and precocene (a JH synthesis inhibitor) to manipulate levels of JH in sexually immature male and female Drosophila with or without decreased synthesis of neuronal dopamine (DA). Locomotion and courtship behavior were assayed once the animals had grown to sexual maturity. The results demonstrate a sexually dimorphic role for JH in the modulation of these centrally controlled behaviors in mature animals that is dependent on the age of the animals assayed, and present DA as a candidate neuronal factor that differentially interacts with JH depending on the sex of the animal. The data also suggest that JH modulates these behaviors through an indirect mechanism. Since gonadotropic hormones and DA interact in mammals to affect brain development and later function, our results suggest that this mechanism for the development of adult behavioral competence may be evolutionarily conserved.     

Chromosomal Instability Triggered by Rrm2b Loss Leads to IL-6 Secretion and Plasmacytic Neoplasms

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Correlation of Immunoglobulin G Expression and Histological Subtype and Stage in Breast Cancer

Introduction

Recently, growing evidence indicates that immunoglobulins (Igs) are not only produced by mature B lymphocytes or plasma cells, but also by various normal cells types at immune privileged sites and neoplasm, including breast cancer. However, the association of breast cancer derived IgG with genesis and development of the disease has not yet been established.

Methods

In this study we examined the expression of IgG in 186 breast cancers, 20 benign breast lesions and 30 normal breast tissues. Both immunohistochemistry with antibodies to Igκ (immunoglobulin G κ light chain) and Igγ (immunoglobulin G heavy chain) and in situ hybridization with an antisense probe to IgG1 heavy chain constant region gene were performed. Various clinicopathological features were also analyzed.

Results

We found that IgG is specifically expressed in human breast cancer cells. Both infiltrating ductal carcinoma and infiltrating lobular carcinoma had significantly greater numbers of Igκ and Igγ positive cancer cells as compared with medullary carcinoma, carcinoma in situ, and benign lesions (all p<0.05). In addition, IgG expression was correlated with breast cancer histological subtypes (p<0.01) and AJCC stages (p<0.05), with more abundance of IgG expression in more malignant histological subtypes or in more advanced stage of the disease.

Conclusions

IgG expression in breast cancer cells is correlated with malignancy and AJCC stages of the cancers. This suggests that breast cancer derived IgG may be associated with genesis, development and prognosis of the cancer.     

High Coke-Resistance Pt/Mg1-xNixO Catalyst for Dry Reforming of Methane

A highly active and stable nano structured Pt/Mg_1-xNi_xO catalysts was developed by a simple co-precipitation method. The obtained Pt/Mg_1-xNi_xO catalyst exhibited cubic structure nanocatalyst with a size of 50–80 nm and realized CH₄ and CO₂ conversions as high as 98% at 900°C with excellent stability in the dry reforming of methane. The characterization of catalyst was performed using various kinds of analytical techniques including XRD, BET, XRF, TPR-H₂, TGA, TEM, FESEM, FT-IR, and XPS analyses. Characterization of spent catalyst further confirms that Pt/Mg_1-xNi_xO catalyst has high coke-resistance for dry reforming. Thus, the catalyst demonstrated in this study, offers a promising catalyst for resolving the dilemma between dispersion and reducibility of supported metal, as well as activity and stability during high temperature reactions.