The Drosophila Platelet-derived Growth Factor and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-Receptor Related (Pvr) Protein Ligands Pvf2 and Pvf3 Control Hemocyte Viability and Invasive Migration

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) family members are essential and evolutionary conserved determinants of blood cell development and dispersal. In addition, VEGFs are integral to vascular growth and permeability with detrimental contributions to ischemic diseases and metastatic cancers. The PDGF/VEGF-receptor related (Pvr) protein is implicated in the migration and trophic maintenance of macrophage-like hemocytes in Drosophila melanogaster embryos. pvr mutants have a depleted hemocyte population and a breakdown in hemocyte distribution. Previous studies suggested redundant functions for the Pvr ligands, Pvf2 and Pvf3 in the regulation of hemocyte migration, proliferation, and size. However, the precise roles that Pvf2 and Pvf3 play in hematopoiesis remain unclear due to the lack of available mutants. To determine Pvf2 and Pvf3 functions in vivo, we generated a genomic deletion that simultaneously disrupts Pvf2 and Pvf3. From our studies, we identified contributions of Pvf2 and Pvf3 to the Pvr trophic maintenance of hemocytes. Furthermore, we uncovered a novel role for Pvfs in invasive migrations. We showed that Pvf2 and Pvf3 are not required for the directed migration of hemocytes, but act locally in epithelial cells to coordinate trans-epithelial migration of hemocytes. Our findings redefine Pvf roles in hemocyte migration and highlight novel Pvf roles in hemocyte invasive migration. These new parallels between the Pvr and PDGF/VEGF pathways extend the utility of the Drosophila embryonic system to dissect physiological and pathological roles of PDGF/VEGF-like growth factors.     

不同剂量熊果酸干预糖尿病小鼠视网膜病变的作用及机制研究

目的:探究不同剂量熊果酸(UA)干预糖尿病小鼠视网膜病变的作用及机制。方法:选取雄性健康C57BL/6小鼠60只,其中50只按50 mg/kg的剂量一次性往小鼠尾静脉注射新鲜配置的四氯嘧啶生理盐水溶液构建小鼠糖尿病视网膜病变模型,随机分为5组,每组10只,分别为模型组、阳性对照组(小鼠玻璃体注射3μL 40 mg/m L的曲安奈德),低剂量UA干扰组(小鼠玻璃体注射3μL剂量为0.5μg/μL的UA)、中剂量UA干扰组(小鼠玻璃体注射3μL剂量为1.0μg/μL的UA),高剂量UA干扰组(小鼠玻璃体注射3μL剂量为2.0μg/μL的UA),余下10只小鼠作为正常对照组。观察各组小鼠对胰岛素敏感性、视网膜内糖代谢情况、小鼠视网膜神经节细胞(RGCs)凋亡情况,比较各组小鼠视网膜组织中血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)、环氧化酶-2(COX-2)、基质金属蛋白酶2(MMP-2)蛋白及其mRNA的表达情况。结果:建模后,正常对照组胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)、视网膜含糖量、葡萄糖转运体-1(GLUT-1)与葡萄糖转运体-3(GLUT-3)含量、RGCs凋亡率、视网膜组织中VEGF、COX-2、MMP-2蛋白及其mRNA的表达量低于模型组(P0.05);经干扰后,阳性对照组、不同剂量UA干扰组HOMA-IR、视网膜含糖量、GLUT-1、GLUT-3的含量、RGCs凋亡率、视网膜组织中VEGF、COX-2、MMP-2蛋白及其mRNA的表达量低于模型组(P0.05),且随UA干扰剂量的升高而降低(P0.05)。结论:UA能够降低HOMA-IR和视网膜糖代谢能力,抑制RGCs的凋亡,对VEGF、COX-2、MMP-2蛋白及其mRNA的表达具有一定的抑制作用,高剂量UA对糖尿病小鼠视网膜病预防治疗效果较好。     

HIF‐1α forms regulatory loop with YAP to coordinate hypoxia‐induced adriamycin resistance in acute myeloid leukemia cells

Despite the improvement in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treatments, most patients had a poor prognosis and suffered from chemoresistance and disease relapse. Therefore, there is an urgent need for elucidation of mechanism(s) underlying drug resistance in AML. In the present study, we found that AML cells showed less susceptibility to adriamycin (ADR) in the presence of hypoxia, while inhibition of hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (HIF‐1α) by CdCl₂ can make AML cells re‐susceptibile to ADR even under hypoxia. Moreover, HIF‐1α is overexpressed and plays an important role in ADR‐resistance maintenance in resistant AML cells. We further found hypoxia or induction of HIF‐1α can significantly upregulate yes‐associated protein (YAP) expression in AML cells, and resistant cells express a high level of YAP. Finally, we found that YAP may not only enhance HIF‐1α stability but also promote HIF‐1α's activity on the target gene pyruvate kinase M2. In conclusion, our data indicate that HIF‐1α or YAP may represent a therapeutic target for overcoming resistance toward adriamycin‐based chemotherapy in AML.     

Orally bioavailable amine-linked macrocyclic inhibitors of factor XIa

The discovery of orally bioavailable FXIa inhibitors has been a challenge. Herein, we describe our efforts to address this challenge by optimization of our imidazole-based macrocyclic series. Our optimization strategy focused on modifications to the P2 prime, macrocyclic amide linker, and the imidazole scaffold. Replacing the amide of the macrocyclic linker with amide isosteres led to the discovery of substituted amine linkers which not only maintained FXIa binding affinity but also improved oral exposure in rats. Combining the optimized macrocyclic amine linker with a pyridine scaffold afforded compounds 23 and 24 that were orally bioavailable, single-digit nanomolar FXIa inhibitors with excellent selectivity against relevant blood coagulation enzymes.     

“Take My Bone Away?” Hypoxia and bone: A narrative review

To maintain normal cellular and physiological function, sufficient oxygen is required. Recently, evidence has suggested that hypoxia, either pathological or environmental, may influence bone health. It appears that bone cells are distinctly responsive to hypoxic stimuli; for better or worse, this is still yet to be elucidated. Hypoxia has been shown to offer potentially therapeutic effects for bone by inducing an osteogenic–angiogenic response, although, others have noted excessive osteoclastic bone resorption instead. Much evidence suggests that the hypoxic‐inducible pathway is integral in mediating the changes in bone metabolism. Furthermore, many factors associated with hypoxia including changes in energy metabolism, acid–base balance and the increased generation of reactive oxygen species, are known to influence bone metabolism. This review aims to examine some of the putative mechanisms responsible for hypoxic‐induced alterations of bone metabolism, with regard to osteoclasts and osteoblasts, both positive and negative.