Telocytes in human oesophagus

Telocytes (TCs), a new type of interstitial cells, were identified in many different organs and tissues of mammalians and humans. In this study, we show the presence, in human oesophagus, of cells having the typical features of TCs in lamina propria of the mucosa, as well as in muscular layers. We used transmission electron microscopy (TEM), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and primary cell culture. Human oesophageal TCs present a small cell body with 2–3 very long Telopodes (Tps). Tps consist of an alternation of thin segments (podomers) and thick segments (podoms) and have a labyrinthine spatial arrangement. Tps establish close contacts (‘stromal synapses’) with other neighbouring cells (e.g. lymphocytes, macrophages). The ELISA testing of the supernatant of primary culture of TCs indicated that the concentrations of VEGF and EGF increased progressively. In conclusion, our study shows the existence of typical TCs at the level of oesophagus (mucosa, submucosa and muscular layer) and suggests their possible role in tissue repair.     

In vitro induction of auto-allotetraploid in a newly developed wild rice line from Oryza alta Swallen

Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC) - Oryza alta Swallen is an important germplasm for rice resistance breeding; however, its CCDD genome (2n?=?48) resulted in low crossability...     

Changes in soil microbial community structure with planting years and cultivars of tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa)

To understand the effects of planting tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) on soil microbial community structure, soil samples were collected from the tree peony gardens with three peony cultivars and three planting years, and adjacent wasteland at Luoyang, Henan Province of China. Soil microbial communities were analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR–DGGE) of partial 16S rDNA and sequencing methods. With the succeeding development of tree peony garden ecosystems, soil pH, organic C, total P, and available P increased. Soil total N, the cell numbers of bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes, the Shannon’s diversity index (H), richness (S), and Evenness (E _H ) first showed an increasing trend after wasteland was reclaimed and then a decreasing trend became apparent after 5 years of planting. Principal component analysis based on DGGE banding patterns showed that the microbial community structures were influenced by tree peony cultivars and planting years, and the influences of planting years were greater than those of tree peony cultivars. Sequence analysis of the DGGE bands revealed that the dominant bacteria in tree peony garden soils belonged to Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Acidobacteria, Planctomycetes, Euryarchaeota, and Unclassified-bacteria. Moreover, some bacteria closely related to Bradyrhizobium, Sphingopyxis, Novosphingobium, and Sphingomonas, which have been associated with nitrogen fixation and recalcitrant compounds degradation, disappeared with the increasing planting years of tree peony. The bacteria had similarity of 100 % compared with Pseudomonas mandelii which was a denitrifying bacteria, and increased gradually with increasing planting years of tree peony.     

PNO1 regulates autophagy and apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma via the MAPK signaling pathway

Some studies have reported that activated ribosomes are positively associated with malignant tumors, especially in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The RNA-binding protein PNO1 is a critical ribosome rarely reported in human tumors. This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanisms of PNO1 in HCC. Using 150 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded samples and 8 fresh samples, we found high PNO1 expression in HCC tumor tissues through Western blotting and RT-PCR. Moreover, the higher PNO1 expression was associated with poor HCC prognosis patients. In vitro and in vivo experiments indicated that PNO1 overexpression promoted the proliferation and depressed the apoptosis of HCC cells. High PNO1 expression also increased the autophagy of HCC cells. The molecular mechanisms underlying PNO1 were examined by RNA-seq analysis and a series of functional experiments. Results showed that PNO1 promoted HCC progression through the MAPK signaling pathway. Therefore, PNO1 was overexpressed in HCC, promoted autophagy, and inhibited the apoptosis of HCC cells through the MAPK signaling pathway.Subject terms: Cancer genomics, Cancer genomics     

Genetic comparison of mouse lung telocytes with mesenchymal stem cells and fibroblasts

Telocytes (TCs) are interstitial cells with telopodes – very long prolongations that establish intercellular contacts with various types of cells. Telocytes have been found in many organs and various species and have been characterized ultrastructurally, immunophenotypically and electrophysiologically ( www.telocytes.com ). Telocytes are distributed through organ stroma forming a three‐dimensional network in close contacts with blood vessels, nerve bundles and cells of the local immune system. Moreover, it has been shown that TCs express a broad range of microRNAs, such as pro‐angiogenic and stromal‐specific miRs. In this study, the gene expression profile of murine lung TCs is compared with other differentiated interstitial cells (fibroblasts) and with stromal stem/progenitor cells. More than 2000 and 4000 genes were found up‐ or down‐regulated, respectively, in TCs as compared with either MSCs or fibroblasts. Several components or regulators of the vascular basement membrane are highly expressed in TCs, such as Nidogen, Collagen type IV and Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3). Given that TCs locate in close vicinity of small vessels and capillaries, the data suggest the implication of TCs in vascular branching. Telocytes express also matrix metalloproteases Mmp3 and Mmp10, and thus could regulate extracellular matrix during vascular branching and de novo vessel formation. In conclusion, our data show that TCs are not fibroblasts, as the ultrastructure, immunocytochemistry and microRNA assay previously indicated. Gene expression profile demonstrates that TCs are functionally distinct interstitial cells with specific roles in cell signalling, tissue remodelling and angiogenesis.     

Involvement of elevated ASF1B in the poor prognosis and tumorigenesis in pancreatic cancer

Anti-silencing function 1B (ASF1B) has been reported to be associated with the occurrence of many kinds of tumors. However, the biological effect and action mechanism of ASF1B in pancreatic cancer (PC) tumorigenesis remain unclear. The expression and prognosis value of ASF1B in PC were analyzed using GEPIA, GEO, and Kaplan–Meier plotter databases. The diagnostic value of ASF1B in PC was determined by receiver operating characteristic curve. The relationship between ASF1B expression and the clinical feathers in PC was investigated based on TCGA. qRT-PCR and western blot analyses were used to measure ASF1B expression in PC cells. Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT and EdU assays, and apoptosis was examined by TUNEL and caspase-3 activity assays. Western blot analysis was utilized to detect the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cyclin D1, Bax, Bcl-2, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling proteins. ASF1B was overexpressed in several digestive cancers, including PC. Upregulated ASF1B was correlated with the poor prognosis and clinical features in PC patients. The area under the curve (AUC) value of ASF1B was 0.990. ASF1B was also overexpressed in PC cells. ASF1B silencing inhibited PC cell proliferation, promoted apoptosis, and increased caspase-3 activity, which were accompanied by the reduction of PCNA and cyclin D1 expression and increase of the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 expression. Additionally, ASF1B silencing suppressed the PI3K/Akt pathway and 740Y-P treatment partially abolished the effects of ASF1B knockdown on PC cells. In conclusion, ASF1B silencing retarded proliferation and promoted apoptosis in PC cells by inactivation of the PI3K/Akt pathway.

     

Molecular Epidemiology of Porcine Circovirus Type 3 Infection in Swine Herds in China

正Dear Editor,Porcine circovirus type 3(PCV3)is a new-emerging circovirus belonging to the genus Circovirus in the family Circoviridae in which PCV type 1(PCV1)and PCV type 2(PCV2)were well documented(Palinski et al.2017).PCV1 is a cell culture-derived virus and is considered to be nonpathogenic for swine,whereas PCV2 is the primary etiological agent of porcine circovirus-associated diseases