Fibroblast growth factor 21 protects against pathological cardiac remodeling by modulating galectin-3 expression

Background/Aims: Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) plays a protective role in ischemia/reperfusion induced cardiac injury. However, the exact molecular mechanism of FGF21 action remains unclear. This study was designed the protective effect of FGF21 on the heart and its mechanism. Method: Adenovirus vector expressing FGF21 or control β-galactosidase was injected into the myocardium of mice. Myocardial injury was observed by tissue staining and immunohistochemical staining. The expression level of caspases-3 and galectin-3 in myocardial cells were observed by immunoblotting. Then, hypoxia-induced cell model was established. Small interfering RNA (SiRNA) and plasmid were transfected into H9c2 using Lipofectamine 2000 reagent (Invitrogen). The expression levels of galectin-3, ECM and cystatin-3 in cells were observed by immunoblotting, and the relationship between fibroblast growth factor 21 and galectin-3 was analyzed. Result: Cell test in vitro showed that FGF21 could inhibit apoptosis and decrease the expression of ECM (ColIaI, fibronectin, and alpha-SMA) under hypoxia. Western blot data showed that hypoxia-induced cell damage increased galectin-3 levels, while FGF21 decreased galactose lectin-3 levels. In addition, inhibition of galactose agglutinin-3 expression by siRNA enhanced the cardioprotective effect of FGF21, while overexpression of galectin-3 reduced the cardioprotective effect of fibroblast growth factor 21. Conclusion: FGF21 may be a novel therapy for hypoxia-induced cardiac injury by regulating the expression of galectin-3.     

Ulinastatin attenuates liver injury and inflammation in a cecal ligation and puncture induced sepsis mouse model

Sepsis is a syndrome of life-threatening multiorgan dysfunction caused by host response dysregulation to infection. Ulinastatin (UTI), a serine protease inhibitor, possesses anti-inflammatory properties and has been suggested to modulate lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis. However, little is known about the mechanism underlying its effects on sepsis. In the current study, we investigated the protective effect of UTI on liver injury in a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis of C57BL/6 mouse model and explored the possible mechanisms. Mice underwent CLP as sepsis models and were randomized into five groups including the sham group, UTI group, CLP group, UTI-L group, and UTI-H group. UTI was intraperitoneally administered at doses of UTI 1500 U/100 g (UTI-L group) or 3000 U/100 g (UTI-H group), before CLP. The mice were killed, and immunohistochemical changes, cytokine levels, and antioxidant enzyme activities were detected. Our results showed that UTI ameliorated CLP-mediated increases in serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities, histological activity index, degenerative region ratio, and infiltrated inflammatory cell numbers. Moreover, UTI also decreased nitrotyrosine and 4-hydroxynonenal, activated caspase-3, and activated poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) levels and inhibited the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway activation in liver tissues. Our results indicated that UTI could inhibit CLP-induced liver injury by suppressing inflammation and oxidation. Our results indicated that UTI may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for sepsis.     

Effects of various LED light spectra on circadian rhythm during starvation in the olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

In aquaculture, feeding is essential for the maintenance of metabolic processes and homoeostasis of fish. However, fasting acts as a stressor. In this study, we investigated the effect of circadian rhythm under various LED wavelengths [blue (460 nm), green (520 nm) and red (630 nm)] and two light intensities (0.3 and 0.6 W m^?2) over a 9-days period in the olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). We analysed clock genes like period 2 (Per 2) and cryptochrome 1 (Cry 1), and serotonin and arylalkylamine-N-acetyltransferase 2 (AANAT 2), which control circadian rhythms. Per 2, Cry 1, serotonin and AANAT 2 were significantly decreased during the starvation period compared to the normal feeding group. Nevertheless, their levels increased in the groups exposed to green- and blue LED light during the experimental period. These results confirmed that green and blue wavelengths are effective in maintaining the circadian rhythm in olive flounder.     

The Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum Extracellular Vesicles from Korean Women in Their 20s on Skin Aging

Extracellular vesicles, which are highly conserved in most cells, contain biologically active substances. The vesicles and substances interact with cells and impact physiological mechanisms. The skin is the most external organ and is in direct contact with the external environment. Photoaging and skin damage are caused by extrinsic factors. The formation of wrinkles is a major indicator of skin aging and is caused by a decrease in collagen and hyaluronic acid. MMP-1 expression is also increased. Due to accruing damage, skin aging reduces the ability of the skin barrier, thereby lowering the skin’s ability to contain water and increasing the amount of water loss. L. plantarum suppresses various harmful bacteria by secreting an antimicrobial substance. L. plantarum is also found in the skin, and research on the interactions between the bacteria and the skin is in progress. Although several studies have investigated L. plantarum, there are only a limited number of studies on extracellular vesicles (EV) derived from L. plantarum, especially in relation to skin aging. Herein, we isolated EVs that were secreted from L. plantarum of women in their 20s (LpEVs). We then investigated the effect of LpEVs on skin aging in CCD986sk. We showed that LpEVs modulated the mRNA expression of ECM related genes in vitro. Furthermore, LpEVs suppressed wrinkle formation and pigmentation in clinical trials. These results demonstrated that LpEVs have a great effect on skin aging by regulating ECM related genes. In addition, our study offers important evidence on the depigmentation effect of LpEVs.     

幽门螺杆菌感染胃组织基因芯片生物信息学分析

为探讨幽门螺杆菌感染胃组织后差异基因变化,深入分析参与疾病发生、发展的分子机制。从GEO(Gene Expression Omnibus)数据库下载幽门螺杆菌感染胃组织基因芯片数据(GSE5081),根据胃粘膜组织是否受损分组,分别比较幽门螺杆菌感染者与阴性对照组,获得差异基因并进行功能分析包括GO分析、信号通路分析,基因相互作用及基因共表达,得到重要核心基因,并通过实时定量PCR方法进行验证。结果表明:得到参与幽门螺杆菌感染后上调的44个主要基因,主要涉及的GO分析及信号通路包括免疫反应、炎症反应、抗原提呈、细胞因子通路、因子受体关联,细胞粘附分子等。研究发现核心基因CXCR4,CCL20,JAK3,TNFAIP2,PLEK,HLA-DMA,PTPRC,CXCL13,BCL2A1,并通过实时定量PCR的方法进行部分验证,CXCR4,CXCL5,CXCL2在幽门螺杆菌感染后的胃黏膜组织表达高于对照组。幽门螺杆菌感染后胃粘膜组织引起免疫反应,炎症反应,抗原提呈,因子受体关联,细胞粘附分子通路的激活。同时发现一些主要的趋化因子相关基因CXCR4,CXCL5,CXCL2,CCL20,CXCL1等,涉及增殖,炎症,免疫,凋亡基因JAK3,TNFAIP2,PLEK,HLA-DMA,PTPRC,BCL2A1等的表达上调,并实时定量PCR验证部分相关基因的表达。这些结果为从分子网络机制层面上认识幽门螺杆菌感染提供分析思路及基础。     

High glucose represses the proliferation of tendon fibroblasts by inhibiting autophagy activation in tendon injury

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a kind of common and disabling complication of Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Emerging studies have demonstrated that tendon fibroblasts play a crucial role in remodeling phase of wound healing. However, little is known about the mechanism underlying high glucose (HG)-induced decrease in tendon fibroblasts viability. In the present study, the rat models of DFU were established, and collagen deposition, autophagy activation and cell apoptosis in tendon tissues were assessed using Hematoxylin–Eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) assay, respectively. Tendon fibroblasts were isolated from Achilles tendon of the both limbs, and the effect of HG on autophagy activation in tendon fibroblasts was assessed using Western blot analysis, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and flow cytometry. We found that cell apoptosis was increased significantly and autophagy activation was decreased in foot tendon tissues of DFU rats compared with normal tissues. The role of HG in regulating tendon fibroblasts viability was then investigated in vitro, and data showed that HG repressed cell viability and increased cell apoptosis. Furthermore, HG treatment reduced LC3-II expression and increased p62 expression, indicating that HG repressed autophagy activation of tendon fibroblasts. The autophagy activator rapamycin reversed the effect. More importantly, rapamycin alleviated the suppressive role of HG in tendon fibroblasts viability. Taken together, our data demonstrate that HG represses tendon fibroblasts proliferation by inhibiting autophagy activation in tendon injury.     

The naturally occurring flavonoid nobiletin reverses methotrexate resistance via inhibition of P-glycoprotein synthesis

Methotrexate (MTX) is the first-line treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, after long-term treatment, some patients develop resistance. P-glycoprotein (P-gp), as an indispensable drug transporter, is essential for mediating this MTX resistance. In addition, nobiletin (NOB), a naturally occurring polymethoxylated flavonoid, has also been shown to reverse P-gp–mediated MTX resistance in RA groups; however, the precise role of NOB in this process is still unclear. Here, we administered MTX and NOB alone or in combination to collagen II-induced arthritic (CIA) mice and evaluated disease severity using the arthritis index, synovial histopathological changes, immunohistochemistry, and P-gp expression. In addition, we used conventional RNA-seq to identify targets and possible pathways through which NOB reverses MTX-induced drug resistance. We found that NOB in combination with MTX could enhance its performance in synovial tissue and decrease P-gp expression in CIA mice compared to MTX treatment alone. In vitro, in MTX-resistant fibroblast-like synoviocytes from CIA cells (CIA-FLS/MTX), we show that NOB treatment downregulated the PI3K/AKT/HIF-1α pathway, thereby reducing the synthesis of the P-gp protein. In addition, NOB significantly inhibited glycolysis and metabolic activity of CIA-FLS/MTX cells, which could reduce the production of ATP and block P-gp, ultimately decreasing the efflux of MTX and maintaining its anti-RA effects. In conclusion, this study shows that NOB overcomes MTX resistance in CIA-FLS/MTX cells through the PI3K/AKT/HIF-1α pathway, simultaneously influencing metabolic processes and inhibiting P-gp–induced drug efflux.     

Cyclin D1 Serves as a Poor Prognostic Biomarker in Stage I Gastric Cancer

TNM stage still serves as the best prognostic marker in gastric cancer (GC). The next step is to find prognostic biomarkers that detect subgroups with different prognoses in the same TNM stage. In this study, the expression levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and cyclin D1 were assessed in 96 tissue samples, including non-tumorous tissue, adenoma, and carcinoma. Then, the prognostic impact of EGFR and cyclin D1 was retrospectively investigated in 316 patients who underwent R0 resection for GC. EGFR positivity increased as gastric tissue became malignant, and cyclin D1 positivity was increased in all the tumorous tissues. However, there was no survival difference caused by the EGFR positivity, while the cyclin D1-postive group had worse overall survival (OS) than the cyclin D1-negative group in stage I GC (10-year survival rate (10-YSR): 62.8% vs. 86.5%, p = 0.010). In subgroup analyses for the propensity score-matched (PSM) cohort, there were also significant differences in the OS according to the cyclin D1 positivity in stage I GC but not in stage II and III GC. Upon multivariate analysis, cyclin D1 positivity was an independent prognostic factor in stage I GC. In conclusion, cyclin D1 may be a useful biomarker for predicting prognosis in stage I GC.