Deoxyribonuclease 1-like 3 Inhibits Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression by Inducing Apoptosis and Reprogramming Glucose Metabolism

HCC has remained one of the challenging cancers to treat, owing to the paucity of drugs targeting the critical survival pathways. Considering the cancer cells are deficient in DNase activity, the increase of an autonomous apoptisis endonuclease should be a reasonable choice for cancer treatment. In this study, we investigated whether DNASE1L3, an endonuclease implicated in apoptosis, could inhibit the progress of HCC. We found DNASE1L3 was down-regulated in HCC tissues, whereas its high expression was positively associated with the favorable prognosis of patients with HCC. Besides, serum DNASE1L3 levels were lower in HCC patients than in healthy individuals. Functionally, we found that DNASE1L3 inhibited the proliferation of tumor cells by inducing G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis in vitro. Additionally, DNASE1L3 overexpression suppressed tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, we found that DNASE1L3 overexpression weakened glycolysis in HCC cells and tissues via inactivating the rate-limiting enzymes involved in PTPN2-HK2 and CEBPβ-p53-PFK1 pathways. Finally, we identified the HBx to inhibit DNASE1L3 expression by up-regulating the expression of ZNF384. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that DNASE1L3 could inhibit the HCC progression through inducing cell apoptosis and weakening glycolysis. We believe DNASE1L3 could be considered as a promising prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC.     

Receptor for advanced glycation end products aggravates cognitive deficits in type 2 diabetes through binding of C‐terminal AAs 2‐5 to mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase 3 (MKK3) and facilitation of MEKK3‐MKK3‐p38 module assembly

In this study, we explored the precise mechanisms underlying the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE)‐mediated neuronal loss and behavioral dysfunction induced by hyperglycemia. We used immunoprecipitation (IP) and GST pull‐down assays to assess the interaction between RAGE and mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase 3 (MKK3). Then, we investigated the effect of specific mutation of RAGE on plasticity at hippocampal synapses and behavioral deficits in db/db mice through electrophysiological recordings, morphological assays, and behavioral tests. We discovered that RAGE binds MKK3 and that this binding is required for assembly of the MEKK3‐MKK3‐p38 signaling module. Mechanistically, we found that activation of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK)/NF‐κB signaling depends on mediation of the RAGE‐MKK3 interaction by C‐terminal RAGE (ctRAGE) amino acids (AAs) 2‐5. We found that ctRAGE R2A‐K3A‐R4A‐Q5A mutation suppressed neuronal damage, improved synaptic plasticity, and alleviated behavioral deficits in diabetic mice by disrupting the RAGE‐MKK3 conjugation. High glucose induces direct binding of RAGE and MKK3 via ctRAGE AAs 2‐5, which leads to assembly of the MEKK3‐MKK3‐p38 signaling module and subsequent activation of the p38MAPK/NF‐κB pathway, and ultimately results in diabetic encephalopathy (DE).     

Human Organoids as a Promising Platform for Fighting COVID-19

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic evoked by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has triggered a major public health problem with significant morbidity and mortality. Understanding the pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms underlying this novel virus is crucial for both fundamental research and clinical trials in order to devise effective therapies and vaccination regimens. Basic research on SARS-CoV-2 largely depends on ex vivo models that allow viral invasion and replication. Organoid models are now emerging as a valuable tool to investigate viral biology and disease progression, serving as an efficient platform to investigate potential therapies for COVID-19. Here, we summarize various human stem cell-derived organoid types employed in SARS-CoV-2 studies. We highlight key findings from these models, including cell tropisms and molecular mechanisms in viral infection. We also describe their use in identifying potential therapeutic agents against SARS-CoV-2. As more and more advanced organoids emerge, they will facilitate the understanding of disease pathogenesis for drug development in this dreaded pandemic.     

PAC对谷子花后土壤氮素供应和叶片抗氧化特性的影响

全基施肥方式会造成作物全生育期内营养供应失衡,导致生育后期缺氮早衰。为探究聚天门冬氨酸和壳聚糖复配剂(PAC)保障谷子(Setariaitalica)花后氮素供应和调控叶片抗氧化特性的机制,建立全基施肥背景下东北春谷防衰增产的生产技术,于2020–2021年在中国农业科学院作物科学研究所公主岭试验站开展大田试验,以谷子品种张杂谷13号和华优谷9号为材料,设置常规氮素(CN)和PAC配合氮素(PN) 6个氮素水平(0、75、112.5、150、225和337.5 kg·hm^–2)播种前进行全基施肥处理。结果表明,与常规氮肥处理相比,相同施氮量下,PAC处理后,两品种谷子花期和灌浆中期0–20cm和20–40 cm土层土壤硝态氮和铵态氮含量升高,花后叶面积显著增大,叶面积降幅减小;花后0–40天旗叶超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化物酶及过氧化氢酶活性升高,丙二醛含量降低。因此, PAC有效保障了谷子生育中、后期土壤氮素的供应,提高了叶片抗氧化能力,延缓了叶片衰老进程,进而提高产量。2020年和2021年Z13的增产幅度分别为11.24%–21.55%和8.65%–14.22%,...     

沙颍河流域人为输入对水体水化学组成的影响

人类活动输入影响河流水体化学组成,增加经河流体系向海洋输出物质的通量,影响全球物质循环过程.有效识别人为输入的影响途径和范围对于量化人类活动对全球物质循环的影响具有重要作用.沙颍河是淮河上游最大支流,流域水体受人为输入影响严重,通过研究沙颍河流域强人为输入对河水水化学组成的影响过程,有利于弄清楚强烈人为活动干扰下河流输...     

褐纹甘蔗象风险分析及其风险管理

通过对褐纹甘蔗象在国内外的分布情况及国内寄主植物分布、适生范围、传播渠道、检疫管理措施等指标的定性和半定量的风险分析,得出其在我国属于中度危险的林业有害生物(其风险评估值为R=1.746),对我国种植面积广泛的棕榈科植物构成了较大的威胁。建议在有其寄主分布的省份将其列入林业检疫性有害生物省级补充名单进行管理,防止其在我国继续扩散危害,并提出了国内检疫管理的措施。     

Exosomal miR-146a-5p and miR-155-5p promote CXCL12/CXCR7-induced metastasis of colorectal cancer by crosstalk with cancer-associated fibroblasts

C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 7 (CXCR7) is a newly discovered atypical chemokine receptor that binds to C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) with higher affinity than CXCR4 and is associated with the metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have been known to promote tumor progression. However, whether CAFs are involved in CXCR7-mediated metastasis of CRC remains elusive. We found a significant positive correlation between CXCR7 expression and CAF activation markers in colonic tissues from clinical specimens and in villin-CXCR7 transgenic mice. RNA sequencing revealed a coordinated increase in the levels of miR-146a-5p and miR-155-5p in CXCR7-overexpressing CRC cells and their exosomes. Importantly, these CRC cell-derived miR-146a-5p and miR-155-5p could be uptaken by CAFs via exosomes and promote the activation of CAFs through JAK2–STAT3/NF-κB signaling by targeting suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) and zinc finger and BTB domain containing 2 (ZBTB2). Reciprocally, activated CAFs further potently enhanced the invasive capacity of CRC cells. Mechanistically, CAFs transfected with miR-146a-5p and miR-155-5p exhibited a robust increase in the levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, transforming growth factor-β, and CXCL12, which trigger the epithelial–mesenchymal transition and pro-metastatic switch of CRC cells. More importantly, the activation of CAFs by miR-146a-5p and miR-155-5p facilitated tumor formation and lung metastasis of CRC in vivo using tumor xenograft models. Our work provides novel insights into CXCR7-mediated CRC metastasis from tumor–stroma interaction and serum exosomal miR-146a-5p and miR-155-5p could serve as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for inhibiting CRC metastasis.Subject terms: Cancer microenvironment, Colon cancer     

Capsaicin inhibits intestinal Cl- secretion and promotes Na+ absorption by blocking TRPV4 channels in healthy and colitic mice

Although capsaicin has been studied extensively as an activator of the transient receptor potential vanilloid cation channel subtype 1 (TRPV1) channels in sensory neurons, little is known about its TRPV1-independent actions in gastrointestinal health and disease. Here, we aimed to investigate the pharmacological actions of capsaicin as a food additive and medication on intestinal ion transporters in mouse models of ulcerative colitis (UC). The short-circuit current (I_sc) of the intestine from WT, TRPV1-, and TRPV4-KO mice were measured in Ussing chambers, and Ca²⁺ imaging was performed on small intestinal epithelial cells. We also performed Western blots, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence on intestinal epithelial cells and on intestinal tissues following UC induction with dextran sodium sulfate. We found that capsaicin did not affect basal intestinal I_sc but significantly inhibited carbachol- and caffeine-induced intestinal I_sc in WT mice. Capsaicin similarly inhibited the intestinal I_sc in TRPV1 KO mice, but this inhibition was absent in TRPV4 KO mice. We also determined that Ca²⁺ influx via TRPV4 was required for cholinergic signaling–mediated intestinal anion secretion, which was inhibited by capsaicin. Moreover, the glucose-induced jejunal I_scvia Na⁺/glucose cotransporter was suppressed by TRPV4 activation, which could be relieved by capsaicin. Capsaicin also stimulated ouabain- and amiloride-sensitive colonic I_sc. Finally, we found that dietary capsaicin ameliorated the UC phenotype, suppressed hyperaction of TRPV4 channels, and rescued the reduced ouabain- and amiloride-sensitive I_sc. We therefore conclude that capsaicin inhibits intestinal Cl^- secretion and promotes Na⁺ absorption predominantly by blocking TRPV4 channels to exert its beneficial anti-colitic action.     

Gasdermin E is required for induction of pyroptosis and severe disease during enterovirus 71 infection

Pyroptosis is an inflammatory form of programmed cell death that is executed by the gasdermin (GSDM)-N domain of GSDM family proteins, which form pores in the plasma membrane. Although pyroptosis acts as a host defense against invasive pathogen infection, its role in the pathogenesis of enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection is unclear. In the current study, we found that EV71 infection induces cleavage of GSDM E (GSDME) by using western blotting analysis, an essential step in the switch from caspase-3-mediated apoptosis to pyroptosis. We show that this cleavage is independent of the 3C and 2A proteases of EV71. However, caspase-3 activation is essential for this cleavage, as GSDME could not be cleaved in caspase-3-KO cells upon EV71 infection. Further analyses showed that EV71 infection induced pyroptosis in WT cells but not in caspase-3/GSDME double-KO cells. Importantly, GSDME is required to induce severe disease during EV71 infection, as GSDME deficiency in mice was shown to alleviate pathological symptoms. In conclusion, our results reveal that GSDME is important for the pathogenesis of EV71 via mediating initiation of pyroptosis.