Association of RAGE gene polymorphism with circulating AGEs level and paraoxonase activity in relation to macro-vascular complications in Indian type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Background and aims

Sustained interaction of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) with their receptor RAGE and subsequent signaling plays an important role in the development of diabetic complications. Genetic variation of RAGE gene may be associated with the development of vascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Objectives

The present study aimed to explore the possible association of RAGE gene polymorphisms namely − 374T/A, − 429T/C and G82S with serum level of AGEs, paraoxonase (PON1) activity and macro-vascular complications (MVC) in Indian type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (T2DM).

Methods

A total of 265 diabetic patients, including DM without any complications (n = 135), DM-MVC (n = 130) and 171 healthy individuals were enrolled. Genotyping of RAGE variants were assessed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Serum AGEs were estimated by ELISA and fluorometrically. and PON1 activity was assessed spectrophotometrically.

Results

Of the three examined SNPs, association of − 429T/C polymorphism with MVC in T2DM was observed (OR = 3.001, p = 0.001) in the dominant model. Allele ‘A’ of − 374T/A polymorphism seems to confer better cardiac outcome in T2DM. Patients carrying C allele (− 429T/C) and S allele (G82S) had significantly higher AGEs levels. − 429T/C polymorphism was also found to be associated with low PON1 activity. Interaction analysis revealed that the risk of development of MVC was higher in T2DM patients carrying both a CC genotype of − 429T/C polymorphism and a higher level of AGEs (OR = 1.343, p = 0.040).

Conclusion

RAGE gene polymorphism has a significant effect on AGEs level and PON1 activity in diabetic subjects compared to healthy individuals. Diabetic patients with a CC genotype of − 429T/C are prone to develop MVC, more so if AGEs levels are high and PON1 activity is low.     

植物抗冷分子生物学研究进展（综述）

温度是植物生长的必要条件,然而低温却是限制作物生产的重要因素,为此,各国政府及研究部门一直都把植物低温适应性问题作为一个重要的研究课题．按照低温的不同程度,植物的低温伤害可分为冷害（ｃｈｉｌｌｉｎｇ ｉｎｊｕｒｙ;零上低温对植物的伤害）和冻害（ｆｒｅｅｚｉｎｇ ｉｎｊｕｒｙ;零下低温对植物的伤害）两大类。早期关于植物冷害机理和抗冷机理的研究,是从比较冷敏感（ｃｈｉｌｌｉｎｇ－ｓｅｎｓｉｔｉｖｅ）植物和抗冷（ｃｈｉｌｌｉｎｇ－ｉｎｓｅｎｓｉｔｉｖｅ）植物或比较未经冷驯化的植物（ｎｏｎ－ｃｏｌｄ－ａｃ…     

MHC Class I Immunopeptidome: Past,Present, and Future

In the 35 years since the revelation that short peptides bound to major histocompatibility complex class I and II molecules are the secret of the major histocompatibility complex–restricted nature of T-cell recognition, there has been enormous progress in characterizing the immunopeptidome, the repertoire of peptide presented for immunosurveillance. Here, the major milestones in the journey are marked, the contribution of proteasome-mediated splicing to the immunopeptidome is discussed, and exciting recent findings relating the immunopeptidome to the translatome revealed by ribosome profiling (RiboSeq) is detailed. Finally, what is needed for continued progress is opined about, which includes the infusion of talented young scientists into the antigen-processing field, currently undergoing a renaissance; thanks in part to the astounding success of T-cell–based cancer immunotherapy.     

Reciprocal influence of connexins and apical junction proteins on their expressions and functions

Membranes of adjacent cells form intercellular junctional complexes to mechanically anchor neighbour cells (anchoring junctions), to seal the paracellular space and to prevent diffusion of integral proteins within the plasma membrane (tight junctions) and to allow cell-to-cell diffusion of small ions and molecules (gap junctions). These different types of specialised plasma membrane microdomains, sharing common adaptor molecules, particularly zonula occludens proteins, frequently present intermingled relationships where the different proteins co-assemble into macromolecular complexes and their expressions are co-ordinately regulated. Proteins forming gap junction channels (connexins, particularly) and proteins fulfilling cell attachment or forming tight junction strands mutually influence expression and functions of one another.     

Survival of priceless cells: active and passive protection of embryonic stem cells against immune destruction

This review focuses on our current knowledge of the mechanisms employed by embryonic stem (ES) cells to avoid destruction by cell-mediated immune responses. Recently, ES cells have been found to shield themselves against cytotoxic effector cells by expressing CD95L and serine protease inhibitor SPI-6 mediating apoptosis of the cytotoxic cells and inactivation of granzyme B, respectively. These findings are discussed in view of their implications for using ES cell-derived transplants in regenerative medicine as well as for our understanding of early embryonic stages during invasion and implantation.     

Mitogenomic phylogeny of the Percichthyidae and Centrarchiformes (Percomorphaceae): comparison with recent nuclear gene-based studies and simultaneous analysis

Delineation of the fish family Percichthyidae (Percomorphaceae) has a long and convoluted history, with recent morphological-based studies restricting species members to South American and Australian freshwater and catadromous temperate perches. Four recent nuclear gene-based phylogenetic studies, however, found that the Percichthyidae was not monophyletic and was nested within a newly discovered inter-familial clade of Percomorphaceae, the Centrarchiformes, which comprises the Centrarchidae and 12 other families. Here, we reexamined the systematics of the Percichthyidae and Centrarchiformes based on new mitogenomic information. Our mitogenomic results are globally congruent with the recent nuclear gene-based studies although the overall amount of phylogenetic signal of the mitogenome is lower. They do not support the monophyly of the Percichthyidae, because the catadromous genus Percalates is not exclusively related to the freshwater percichthyids. The Percichthyidae (minus Percalates) and Percalates belong to a larger clade, equivalent to the Centrarchiformes, but their respective sister groups are unresolved. Because all recent analyses recover a monophyletic Centrarchiformes but with substantially different intra-relationships, we performed a simultaneous analysis for a character set combining the mitogenome and 19 nuclear genes previously published, for 22 centrarchiform taxa. This analysis furthermore indicates that the Centrarchiformes are divided into three lineages and the superfamily Cirrhitoidea is monophyletic as well as the temperate and freshwater centrarchiform perch-like fishes. It also clarifies some of the relationships within the freshwater Percichthyidae.     

益肾活血汤联合百令胶囊对慢性肾功能衰竭患者肾功能、钙磷代谢和T淋巴细胞亚群的影响

摘要 目的：探讨益肾活血汤联合百令胶囊对慢性肾功能衰竭患者肾功能、钙磷代谢和T淋巴细胞亚群的影响。方法：选取2020年5月~2022年3月期间上海中医药大学附属曙光医院收治的102例慢性肾功能衰竭患者,按随机数字表法分为对照组（常规西医治疗）和观察组（常规西医治疗联合益肾活血汤和百令胶囊治疗）,各51例。两组均治疗8周。对比两组疗效及治疗前、治疗8周后中医证候积分、肾功能、钙磷代谢和T淋巴细胞亚群的变化。结果：观察组治疗8周后的临床总有效率为92.16%（47/51）,高于对照组的74.51%（38/51）（P<0.05）。治疗8周后,两组中医主证积分、次证积分均较治疗前下降,且相比于对照组,观察组更低（P<0.05）。治疗8周后,血肌酐、尿素氮、24 h尿蛋白在两组中均较治疗前下降,且观察组低于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗8周后,两组CD8⁺较治疗前下降,且观察组低于对照组（P<0.05）,而CD4⁺、CD3⁺、CD4⁺/CD8⁺均较治疗前升高,且观察组高于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗8周后,两组血磷、钙磷乘积下降,且观察组低于对照组（P<0.05）,血钙均升高,且观察组高于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：益肾活血汤联合百令胶囊治疗慢性肾功能衰竭患者,可提高肾功能,改善钙磷代谢和T淋巴细胞亚群,并缓解其临床症状,疗效确切,值得临床借鉴应用。     

Developmental pattern of Δ5 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in isolated rat Leydig cells

A direct method for determination of Δ⁵ 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) activity was employed in isolated Leydig cells (LC) derived from rats on fetal day 19 (F₁₉) and postnatal (N) days 1,12,24, 34 and 45 and adults. The activity of 3β-HSD in the adult LC was 1.15 ± 0.02 (μmole/μg DNA/hr, mean ± SEM, n = 73). Activities in the other groups, expressed as a percentage of the respective adult control, were: F₁₉-38%; N₁-39%; N₁₂-8%; N₂₄-89%; N₃₄-166%; and N₄₅-118%. A good correlation was found between histochemical staining for 3β-HSD and the quantitive method employed. Using (³H)-DHA as a substrate, LC isolated from F₁₉, n₁ and N₁₂ produced testosterone in appreciable amounts (41%, 55% and 20% of the toal products respectively) whereas at advanced stages of development (N₂₄ to adulthood) the major product was androstenedione (93 ± 1%). These findings may be explained by the observed decrease in 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) activity, due to an insufficient supply of NADPH, in the older vs. earlier stages of development. This study indicates the presence of steroidogenic enzymatic activity in LC throughout development in the rat. It also provides a relatively simple in vitro model for studies of testicular regulation during development.     

Overcoming resistance to rapalogs in gliomas by combinatory therapies

Glioblastoma is the most common and aggressive brain tumor type, with a mean patient survival of approximately 1 year. Many previous analyses of the glioma kinome have identified key deregulated pathways that converge and activate mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Following the identification and characterization of mTOR-promoting activity in gliomagenesis, data from preclinical studies suggested the targeting of mTOR by rapamycin or its analogs (rapalogs) as a promising therapeutic approach. However, clinical trials with rapalogs have shown very limited efficacy on glioma due to the development of resistance mechanisms. Analysis of rapalog-insensitive glioma cells has revealed increased activity of growth and survival pathways compensating for mTOR inhibition by rapalogs that are suitable for therapeutic intervention. In addition, recently developed mTOR inhibitors show high anti-glioma activity. In this review, we recapitulate the regulation of mTOR signaling and its involvement in gliomagenesis, discuss mechanisms resulting in resistance to rapalogs, and speculate on strategies to overcome resistance. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Inhibitors of Protein Kinases (2012).