The reaction mechanisms and substrate-stereospecificities of L-alloisocitrate dehydrogenase and oxalosuccinate decarboxylase

A sequential reaction was suggested for the conversion of L-alloisocitrate to alpha-oxoglutarate by an enzyme complex of L-alloisocitrate dehydrogenase and oxalosuccinate decarboxylase from Pseudomonas strain No. 2, during which oxalosuccinate was not released from the enzyme-substrate complex. The stereochemistry of oxalosuccinate formed by L-alloisocitrate dehydrogenase and decarboxylated by oxalosuccinate decarboxylase was opposite to that of the substrate for D-isocitrate dehydrogenase. Incubation of L-alloisocitrate with the dehydrogenase and decarboxylase in deuterium oxide provided [3-2H]-alpha-oxoglutarate, the configuration of which turned out to be the same as that produced by D-isocitrate dehydrogenase from D-isocitrate. The data suggested that enol form of alpha-oxoglutarate was involved as an intermediate in decarboxylation of oxalosuccinate by oxalosuccinate decarboxylase. L-Alloisocitrate dehydrogenase was shown to react with pro-S proton of NADH.     

Allyl Isothiocyanate Ameliorates Angiogenesis and Inflammation in Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Acute Colitis

Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) is a phytochemical found in cruciferous vegetables that has known chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activities. Thus far, the antiangiogenic activity of AITC has not been reported in in vivo studies. Herein, we investigated the effect of AITC on angiogenesis and inflammation in a mouse model of colitis. Experimental colitis was induced in mice by administering 3% dextran sulfate sodium via drinking water. To monitor the activity of AITC in this model, we measured body weight, disease activity indices, histopathological scores, microvascular density, myeloperoxidase activity, F4/80 staining, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A/VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) expression in the mice. We found that AITC-treated mice showed less weight loss, fewer clinical signs of colitis, and longer colons than vehicle-treated mice. AITC treatment also significantly lessened the disruption of colonic architecture that is normally associated with colitis and repressed the microvascularization response. Further, AITC treatment reduced both leukocyte recruitment and macrophage infiltration into the inflamed colon, and the mechanism these activities involved repressing iNOS and COX-2 expression. Finally, AITC attenuated the expression of VEGF-A and VEGFR2. Thus, AITC may have potential application in treating conditions marked by inflammatory-driven angiogenesis and mucosal inflammation.     

Computational Study on Subdural Cortical Stimulation - The Influence of the Head Geometry,Anisotropic Conductivity,and Electrode Configuration

Subdural cortical stimulation (SuCS) is a method used to inject electrical current through electrodes beneath the dura mater, and is known to be useful in treating brain disorders. However, precisely how SuCS must be applied to yield the most effective results has rarely been investigated. For this purpose, we developed a three-dimensional computational model that represents an anatomically realistic brain model including an upper chest. With this computational model, we investigated the influence of stimulation amplitudes, electrode configurations (single or paddle-array), and white matter conductivities (isotropy or anisotropy). Further, the effects of stimulation were compared with two other computational models, including an anatomically realistic brain-only model and the simplified extruded slab model representing the precentral gyrus area. The results of voltage stimulation suggested that there was a synergistic effect with the paddle-array due to the use of multiple electrodes; however, a single electrode was more efficient with current stimulation. The conventional model (simplified extruded slab) far overestimated the effects of stimulation with both voltage and current by comparison to our proposed realistic upper body model. However, the realistic upper body and full brain-only models demonstrated similar stimulation effects. In our investigation of the influence of anisotropic conductivity, model with a fixed ratio (1∶10) anisotropic conductivity yielded deeper penetration depths and larger extents of stimulation than others. However, isotropic and anisotropic models with fixed ratios (1∶2, 1∶5) yielded similar stimulation effects. Lastly, whether the reference electrode was located on the right or left chest had no substantial effects on stimulation.     

Ablation of Gadd45β ameliorates the inflammation and renal fibrosis caused by unilateral ureteral obstruction

The growth arrest and DNA damage‐inducible beta (Gadd45β) protein have been associated with various cellular functions, but its role in progressive renal disease is currently unknown. Here, we examined the effect of Gadd45β deletion on cell proliferation and apoptosis, inflammation, and renal fibrosis in an early chronic kidney disease (CKD) mouse model following unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Wild‐type (WT) and Gadd45β‐knockout (KO) mice underwent either a sham operation or UUO and the kidneys were sampled eight days later. A histological assay revealed that ablation of Gadd45β ameliorated UUO‐induced renal injury. Cell proliferation was higher in Gadd45β KO mouse kidneys, but apoptosis was similar in both genotypes after UUO. Expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines after UUO was down‐regulated in the kidneys from Gadd45β KO mice, whereas UUO‐mediated immune cell infiltration remained unchanged. The expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in response to LPS stimulation decreased in bone marrow‐derived macrophages from Gadd45β KO mice compared with that in WT mice. Importantly, UUO‐induced renal fibrosis was ameliorated in Gadd45β KO mice unlike in WT mice. Gadd45β was involved in TGF‐β signalling pathway regulation in kidney fibroblasts. Our findings demonstrate that Gadd45β plays a crucial role in renal injury and may be a therapeutic target for the treatment of CKD.     

FGFRL1 affects chemoresistance of small‐cell lung cancer by modulating the PI3K/Akt pathway via ENO1

Fibroblast growth factor receptor‐like 1 (FGFRL1), a member of the FGFR family, has been demonstrated to play important roles in various cancers. However, the role of FGFRL1 in small‐cell lung cancer (SCLC) remains unclear. Our study aimed to investigate the role of FGFRL1 in chemoresistance of SCLC and elucidate the possible molecular mechanism. We found that FGFRL1 levels are significantly up‐regulated in multidrug‐resistant SCLC cells (H69AR and H446DDP) compared with the sensitive parental cells (H69 and H446). In addition, clinical samples showed that FGFRL1 was overexpressed in SCLC tissues, and high FGFRL1 expression was associated with the clinical stage, chemotherapy response and survival time of SCLC patients. Knockdown of FGFRL1 in chemoresistant SCLC cells increased chemosensitivity by increasing cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, whereas overexpression of FGFRL1 in chemosensitive SCLC cells produced the opposite results. Mechanistic investigations showed that FGFRL1 interacts with ENO1, and FGFRL1 was found to regulate the expression of ENO1 and its downstream signalling pathway (the PI3K/Akt pathway) in SCLC cells. In brief, our study demonstrated that FGFRL1 modulates chemoresistance of SCLC by regulating the ENO1‐PI3K/Akt pathway. FGFRL1 may be a predictor and a potential therapeutic target for chemoresistance in SCLC.     

Interleukin‐38 protects against sepsis by augmenting immunosuppressive activity of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells

Naturally occurring CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are required to limit immune‐induced pathology and to maintain homeostasis during the early‐phase of sepsis. This study aimed to investigate the role of interleukin (IL)‐38, a newly described member of the IL‐1 cytokine family, in mediated immune response of CD4⁺CD25⁺ Tregs in sepsis. Here, we provide evidence that expressions of IL‐38 and its receptor were detected in murine CD4⁺CD25⁺ Tregs. Stimulation of CD4⁺CD25⁺ Tregs with LPS markedly up‐regulated the expression of IL‐38. Treatment with rmIL‐38 dramatically enhanced the immunosuppressive activity of CD4⁺CD25⁺ Tregs after LPS stimulation and in septic mice induced by CLP, resulting in amplification of helper T cell (Th) 2 response and reduction in the proliferation of effector T cells. These effects were robustly abrogated when anti–IL‐38 antibody was administered. Administration of rmIL‐38 improved the survival rate of CLP mice. In addition, CD4⁺CD25⁺ Tregs depletion before the onset of sepsis obviously abolished IL‐38–mediated protective response. These findings suggest that IL‐38 enhances the immunosuppressive activity of CD4⁺CD25⁺ Tregs, which might contribute to the improvement of host immune function and prognosis in the setting of sepsis.     

High‐Voltage‐Driven Surface Structuring and Electrochemical Stabilization of Ni‐Rich Layered Cathode Materials for Li Rechargeable Batteries

Layered lithium–nickel–cobalt–manganese oxide (NCM) materials have emerged as promising alternative cathode materials owing to their high energy density and electrochemical stability. Although high reversible capacity has been achieved for Ni‐rich NCM materials when charged beyond 4.2 V versus Li⁺/Li, full lithium utilization is hindered by the pronounced structural degradation and electrolyte decomposition. Herein, the unexpected realization of sustained working voltage as well as improved electrochemical performance upon electrochemical cycling at a high operating voltage of 4.9 V in the Ni‐rich NCM LiNi_0.895Co_0.085Mn_0.02O₂ is presented. The improved electrochemical performance at a high working voltage at 4.9 V is attributed to the removal of the resistive Ni²⁺O rock‐salt surface layer, which stabilizes the voltage profile and improves retention of the energy density during electrochemical cycling. The manifestation of the layered Ni²⁺O rock‐salt phase along with the structural evolution related to the metal dissolution are probed using in situ X‐ray diffraction, neutron diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and X‐ray absorption spectroscopy. The findings help unravel the structural complexities associated with high working voltages and offer insight for the design of advanced battery materials, enabling the realization of fully reversible lithium extraction in Ni‐rich NCM materials.