Therapeutic effects of the extract of Sancao Formula, a Chinese herbal compound, on imiquimod-induced psoriasis via cysteine-rich protein 61 / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease that is prone to recurrence, and the proinflammatory factor, cysteine-rich protein 61 (Cyr61), is important in its pathophysiology. Long-term clinical practice has shown that Sancao Formula (SC), a Chinese herbal compound, is effective in the treatment of psoriasis, but the precise mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we investigate the mechanism by which SC extract alleviates imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis.@*METHODS@#The expression of Cyr61 in psoriatic lesions and normal healthy skin was detected using immunohistochemical analysis to investigate the biological role of Cyr61 in models of psoriatic inflammation. A psoriatic mouse model was established by topical application of IMQ, and the effect of topical application of SC extract was evaluated using the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score, hematoxylin-eosin staining, and histopathological features of the skin. Next, a HaCaT cell inflammation model was established using interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and the effect of SC extract on the mRNA and protein levels of Cyr61 and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was confirmed using Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses.@*RESULTS@#Immunohistochemical staining showed that the expression of Cyr61 in psoriatic lesions was higher than that in normal skin samples (78.26% vs 41.18%, P < 0.05), and the number of Cyr61-positive cells in psoriatic lesions was also significantly higher than in normal skin (18.66 ± 2.51 vs 4.33 ± 1.52, P < 0.05). Treatment in mice with IMQ-induced psoriasis showed that SC extract could significantly improve the inflammatory phenotype, PASI score (10.875 ± 0.744 vs 3.875 ± 0.582, P < 0.05), and pathological features compared with those in IMQ model group; SC treatment was also associated with decreased levels of Cyr61 and ICAM-1. In the IFN-γ-induced inflammatory cell model, the mRNA and protein levels of Cyr61 and ICAM-1 were upregulated, while the SC extract downregulated the levels of Cyr61 and ICAM-1.@*CONCLUSION@#The results provide a theoretical basis for the involvement of Cyr61 in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, and suggest that SC should be used to target Cyr61 for the prevention of psoriasis recurrence.

Caracterização da resposta imune celular e humoral frente ao antígeno protetor rico em cisteína de p. Vivax (pvcyrpa) em indivíduos da Amazônia brasileira / Characterization of the cellular and humoral immune response to the protective cysteine-rich antigen of p. Vivax (pvcyrpa) in individuals from the Brazilian Amazon

As infecções causadas por Plasmodium vivax representam um grave problema de saúde pública, sendo esta espécie plasmodial considerada uma das mais difíceis de se eliminar. Por esta razão a pesquisa de antígenos candidatos vacinais específicos para P. vivax necessita de impulso, uma vez que atualmente existe uma única candidata vacinal em ensaios clínicos na iniciativa global de desenvolvimento de vacinas anti-maláricas. Neste cenário, a proteína PvCyRPA, presente em merozoítas de P. vivax surgiu como uma promissora candidata vacinal. Ensaios em P. falciparum demonstraram que anticorpos contra esta proteína são capazes de impedir a invasão de eritrócitos tanto in vitro como in vivo, além disso, essa proteína foi indicada em uma ampla biblioteca de antígenos de P. vivax como uma das proteínas com maior potencial protetor, mesmo com baixos níveis de anticorpos. Nesse aspecto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar as respostas imune humoral e celular frente à proteína PvCyRPA em uma população da Amazônia brasileira naturalmente exposta à malária e correlacionar as respostas encontradas com parâmetros de exposição/proteção. Nos resultados obtidos verificou-se que a PvCyRPA é naturalmente imunogênica na população de estudo, e que a presença de anticorpos IgM contra esta proteína parece ser um indicativo de infecções recentes. Os anticorpos citofílicos IgG3 produzidos nessa população estão correlacionados com o número de infecções anteriores. A proteína apresenta uma sobreposição importante de epítopos de células B e T e as sequências correspondentes aos epítopos de células T foram capazes de induzir a produção de INF-γ em ensaios de ELISPOT. Estes dados representam a primeira caracterização da resposta imune frente à PvCyRPA em populações brasileiras e reforçam o potencial deste antígeno como um candidato vacinal para P. vivax. (AU)

Infections caused by Plasmodium vivax represent a serious public health problem, and this plasmodial species is considered one of the most difficult to eliminate. For this reason, the search for specific vaccine candidate antigens for P. vivax needs to be boosted, since there is currently a single vaccine candidate in clinical trials in the global anti-malarial vaccine development initiative. In this scenario, the protein PvCyRPA, present in P. vivax merozoites has emerged as a promising vaccine candidate. Tests on P. falciparum have shown that antibodies against this protein are able to prevent erythrocyte invasion both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, this protein has been indicated in a wide library of P. vivax antigens as one of the proteins with the greatest protective potential, even with low levels of antibodies. In this regard, the objective of this work was to characterize the humoral and cellular immune responses against PvCyRPA protein in a population of Brazilian Amazon naturally exposed to malaria and to correlate the responses found with exposure / protection parameters. The results obtained showed that PvCyRPA is naturally immunogenic in the study population, and that the presence of IgM antibodies against this protein seems to be an indicative of recent infections. The cytophilic IgG3 antibodies produced in this population seems to be correlated with the number of previous infections. The protein has an important overlap of B and T cell epitopes and the sequences corresponding to the T cell epitopes were able to induce the production of INF-γ in ELISPOT assays. These data represent the first characterization of the immune response to PvCyRPA in Brazilian populations and reinforce the potential of this antigen as a vaccine candidate for P. vivax. (AU)

Angiotensin Ⅱ induces apoptosis of HEK293T cells by up-regulating Cyr61 expression / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the role of Cyr61 in angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ)-induced functional changes in HEK293 cells and explore the mechanism.@*METHODS@#Cyr61 knockdown in cultured HEK293T cells was achieved by transfection of the cells with CRISPR/Cas9 KO plasmid. The changes in apoptosis and expression levels of Cyr61 and Bcl-2 in the cells with or without Cyr61 knockdown in response to treatment with 10 mol/L AngⅡ for 48 h were analyzed using flow cytometry, qRT-PCR and Western blotting.@*RESULTS@#The cells with Cyr61 knockdown showed significantly decreased expression of Cyr61 protein as compared with the control cells ( < 0.05). AngⅡ treatment for 48 h significantly increased the expression of Cyr61 and lowers the expression of Bcl-2 at both the protein and mRNA levels in HEK293T cells. In HEK293T cells with Cyr61 knockdown, AngⅡ treatment resulted in significantly increased expression of Bcl-2 in HEK293T cells as compared with that of the control group ( < 0.05). AngⅡ treatment caused significantly increased apoptotic rate in HEK293T cells as compared with the cells with Cyr61 knockdown [(26.94 ± 3.73)% (3.87 ± 0.83)%, < 0.05), and the apoptosis rate was significantly lowered to (15.76 ± 1.31)% in HEK293T cells with Cyr61 knockdown following AngⅡ treatment ( < 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The up-regulation of Cyr61 expression is related with AngⅡ-induced injury in HEK293T cells, and down-regulating Cyr61 expression can effectively protect HEK293T cells against AngⅡ-induced injury.

Validity of Klotho, CYR61 and YKL-40 as ideal predictive biomarkers for acute kidney injury: review study / Validade de Klotho, CYR61 e YKL-40 como biomarcadores preditivos ideais para lesão renal aguda: estudo de revisão

ABSTRACT CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is still a headache for clinicians and scientists as a possible reason for increased death among intensive care unit (ICU) patients after invasive cardiac surgery. Furthermore, the diagnostic process for AKI using conventional biomarkers is not sufficient to ensure early warning of this condition because of the morbid influence of non-renal factors that definitively delay the time for the prognosis. These imposed limitations have led to significant amounts of research targeted towards identifying novel biomarkers for AKI with a sustained degree of sensitivity and specificity. Here, we reviewed previous studies conducted on the Klotho, CYR61 and YKL-40 biomarkers in relation to AKI. DESIGN AND SETTING: Review of the literature conducted in the Institute of Clinical Chemistry & Biochemistry, Ljubljana University Medical Center, Slovenia. METHODS: The literature was searched in PubMed and the Cochrane Library. From the database of this specialty, we selected 17 references that matched our context for detailed analysis and further investigation. RESULTS: The studies reviewed showed notable differences in their results relating to the diagnostic impact of Klotho, CYR61 and YKL-40 on early prediction of AKI. CONCLUSIONS: The results regarding the Klotho, CYR61 and YKL-40 biomarkers showed markedly equivocal performance in the previous studies and did not fulfill the expectations that these factors would form valid possible biomarkers for AKI.

RESUMO CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: A lesão renal aguda (LRA) ainda é uma dor de cabeça para os clínicos e cientistas como possível razão para o aumento da mortalidade entre os pacientes de unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI) após cirurgia cardíaca invasiva. Além disso, o processo de diagnóstico para LRA usando biomarcadores convencionais não é suficiente para garantir um alerta precoce desta condição, devido à influência mórbida de fatores não renais que podem retardar o tempo para o prognóstico. Essas limitações geraram quantidades significativas de pesquisas orientadas para identificar novos biomarcadores para LRA com um grau adequado de sensibilidade e especificidade. Revisamos estudos anteriores realizados sobre os biomarcadores Klotho, CYR61, YKL-40 para LRA. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Revisão da literatura realizada no Instituto de Química Clínica e Bioquímica, Centro Médico da Universidade de Ljubljana, Eslovênia. MÉTODOS: A literatura foi pesquisada no PubMed e Cochrane Library. A partir da base de dados da especialidade, selecionamos 17 referências que combinavam com o contexto para uma análise detalhada e mais investigação. RESULTADOS: Os estudos revisados mostraram diferenças notáveis nos resultados sobre o impacto diagnóstico de Klotho, CYR61 e YKL-40 sobre a detecção precoce do LRA. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados em relação aos biomarcadores Klotho, CYR61 e YKL-40 mostraram desempenho marcadamente equívoco nos estudos anteriores e não cumpriram as expectativas de que estes fatores constituam possíveis biomarcadores válidos para LRA.

Dexamethasone Inhibits TGF-β1-Induced Cell Migration by Regulating the ERK and AKT Pathways in Human Colon Cancer Cells Via CYR61 / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: One of the features in cancer development is the migration of cancer cells to form metastatic lesions. CYR61 protein promotes migration and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in several cancer cell types. Evidence suggests that CYR61 and dexamethasone are relevant to colorectal cancer. However, relationships between them and colorectal cancer are still unclear. Understanding the molecular mechanism of colorectal cancer progression related with CYR61 and dexamethasone, which is widely used for combination chemotherapy, is necessary for improved therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used colorectal cancer cells, HCT116, co-treated with transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and dexamethasone to examine the inhibitory migration effect of dexamethasone by migratory assay. Alternatively, both migratory pathways, expression of AKT and ERK, and the target factor CYR61 was also tested by co-treatment with TGF-β1 and dexamethasone. RESULTS: We report that dexamethasone significantly inhibited TGF-β1-induced cell migration, without affecting cell proliferation. Importantly, we observed that TGF-β1 promoted the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process and that dexamethasone co-treatment abolished this effect. ERK and AKT signaling pathways were found to mediate TGF-β1-induced migration, which was inhibited by dexamethasone. In addition, TGF-β1 treatment induced CYR61 expression whereas dexamethasone reduced it. These observations were compatible with the modulation of migration observed following treatment of HCT116 cells with human recombinant CYR61 and anti-CYR61 antibody. Our results also indicated that TGF-β1 enhanced collagen I and reduced matrix metalloproteinase 1 expression, which was reversed by dexamethasone treatment. CONCLUSION: These findings suggested that dexamethasone inhibits AKT and ERK phosphorylation, leading to decreased CYR61 expression, which in turn blocks TGF-β1-induced migration.

Protein and mRNA expression of CTGF, CYR61, VEGF-C and VEGFR-2 in bone marrow of leukemia patients and its correlation with clinical features / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was aimed to investigate the mRNA and protein expression of CTGF, CYR61, VEGF-C and VEGFR-2 in bone marrow of patients with leukemia, and to analyze the role and clinical significance of these 4 factors in genesis and development of leukemia, infiltration and metastasis of leukemic cells. A total of 100 cases of newly diagnosed leukemia, 26 cases of acute leukemia in complete remission and 30 controls were enrolled in this study. The mononuclear cells of bone marrow were collected, the mRNA and protein expression levels of CTGF, CYR61, VEGF-C, VEGFR-2 in leukemia patients and controls were detected by real time PCR and Western blot, respectively. The results showed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of above mentioned 4 factors were significantly higher than those in control (P < 0.05), only CTGF mRNA expression in AL patients after complete remission showed statistical difference as compared with control (P < 0.05), but the expression of CTGF mRNA showed statistical significance in different bone marrow hyperplasia of acute leukemia (P < 0.05). The expression level of CTGF protein showed difference in different chromosome karyotypes of leukemia (P < 0.05). The expression levels of CYR61 and VEGF-C proteins showed statistical difference in different bone marrow hyperplasia of acute leukemia (P < 0.05). The expression level of CTGF, CYR61, VEGF-C mRNA and protein in CML group were higher than that in control group. The expression levels of CTGF and CYR61 protein were higher than that in control. The mRNA and protein expression levels of above-mentioned 4 factors in sex and infiltration lf leukemic cells did not show statistical significance(P < 0.05). In correlative analysis, the mRNA expressions of above mentioned 4 factors were positively correlated with bone marrow blast count(P < 0.05), the protein expression of CTGF, CYR61 and VEGF-C were positively correlated with bone marrow blast count. It is concluded that the CTGF, CYR61, VEGF-C and VEGFR-2 mRNA and protein play a role in acute leukemia. In acute leukemia (AML/ALL), the expression of above mentioned factor was high, but except VEGFR-2. Most of them were positively correlated with bone marrow blast count. Joint block of these angiogenesis-related factors is likely to play an important role in targeting treatment of leukemia.

Inhibitory effect of dexamethasone on expression of cysteine-rich 61 protein in airway epithelial cells of allergic mouse models / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

In order to study whether cysteine-rich 61 protein (cyr61) is involved in the pathogenesis of asthma and its relation to airway inflammation, the effect of dexamethasone (Dxm) on the expression of cyr61 in the lung tissues of asthmatic mice was investigated. Forty BALB/c mice were divided into asthma group (n=15), control group (n=10) and Dxm group (n=15). The asthma group was sensitized and challenged by ovalbumin (OVA). The mice in Dxm group were intraperitoneally administered with Dxm after OVA challenge. The expression of cyr61 in the lung tissues was detected by using immunohistochemistry, and that of eotaxin protein in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The number of inflammatory cells in BALF was also analyzed. The results showed that the cyr61 expression was highest in asthma group (P<0.05), followed by Dxm group (P<0.05) and control group. The cyr61 had a positive correlation with the total nucleated cells (r=0.867, P<0.05), especially eosinophils (r=0.856, P<0.05), and eotaxin level (r=0.983, P<0.05) in the BALF. Our findings suggested that cyr61 is expressed in airway epithelial cells and has a positive correlation with eotaxin and number of airway infiltrating eosinophils.

Expression of CYR61, CTGF, VEGF-C, VEGFR-2 mRNA in bone marrow of leukemia patients and its clinical significance / 中国实验血液学杂志

The study was aimed to detect the levels of CYR61, CTGF, VEGF-C, VEGFR-2 mRNA in bone marrow (BM) of leukemia patients and investigate the interaction of CYR61, CTGF, VEGF-C, VEGFR-2 proteins in occurrence, development, infiltration and metastasis of leukemia and its clinical significance, to find a new tumor marker for diagnosis and treatment of leukemia with some new directions. 74 patients with leukemia were enrolled in this study, 38 out of them were males and 36 were females, aged from 6 to 77 years old with the median age of 45 years old. In the control group, 7 males and 5 females, aged from 16 to 78 years old with the median age of 46. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the levels of CYR61, CTGF, VEGF-C, VEGFR-2 mRNA. The results showed that the levels of CYR61, CTGF, VEGF-C, VEGFR-2 mRNA in BM of newly diagnosed patients with acute and chronic leukemia of each group were significantly higher as compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The levels of CYR61, CTGF mRNA in acute leukemia remission group were significantly higher than those in control group (p = 0.039, 0.025). The level of CTGF mRNA was highest in B-ALL group, and was higher than that in AML, CML, CLL, T-ALL groups (p = 0.002, 0.034, 0.002, 0.010). In AML group, mRNA expressions of CYR61 and CTGF, CYR61 and VEGF-C, CTGF and VEGFR-2 were positively correlated (r = 0.452, 0.466, 0.464; p = 0.045, 0.038, 0.039), and in CML group mRNA expression of CYR61 and VEGF-C was positively correlated (r = 0.882, p = 0.000). The expression levels of VEGF-C, VEGFR-2 mRNA in acute leukemia patients with extramedullary infiltration were higher than those in acute leukemia patients without extramedullary infiltration (p = 0.028, 0.047). VEGF-C mRNA expression and the original cell counts in AML group were positively correlated (r = 0.418, p = 0.034). It is concluded that CYR61, CTGF, VEGF-C and VEGFR-2 interact each other in the pathogenesis of leukemia, promote the development, metastasis and infiltration of leukemia; and these factors in different types of leukemia and extramedullary infiltration are different, which may become tumor markers of leukemia; and blocking VEGF-C and VEGFR-2 may block tumor growth and metastasis.

Relationship of cysteine-rich protein 61 and NF-kappaB expression with metastasis and prognosis of gastric carcinoma / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of cysteine-rich protein 61 (Cyr61) and NF-kappaB in gastric carcinoma and its correlation with the clinicopathologic features and survival time.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>RT-PCR was used to validate and detect expression of Cyr61 mRNA in 53 gastric carcinoma specimens and 11 non-tumor gastric mucosa samples. Cyr61 and NF-kappaB protein levels expressed were detected using immunohistochemistry in 99 gastric carcinoma specimens and 25 non-tumor gastric mucosa samples.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>RT-PCR demonstrated that expression of Cyr61 mRNA was higher in the primary carcinoma (84.6%, 22/26) and the metastatic foci (88.9%, 24/27) than in the non-tumor control samples (5/11; P < 0.05, respectively). Cyr61 gene mRNA expression levels were (2.76 +/- 5.50) x 10(-5), (14.61 +/- 20.64) x 10(-5), and (18.46 +/- 26.38) x 10(-5) by 2(-DeltaCt) in the control mucosa samples, primary carcinomas and metastatic tissues respectively. The level was higher in the primary carcinomas and metastatic tissues than that of the non-tumor gastric mucosa (P < 0.05, respectively); however, there was no significant difference between the metastatic tissues and the primary carcinomas (P > 0.05). Immunohistochemistry revealed that of the 99 cases, there was a high expression of Cyr61 and NF-kappaB protein, 56.6% (56/99) and 55.6% (55/99) respectively. There was correlation of Cyr61 and NF-kappaB protein expressions with the depth of tumor and vascular invasion, as well as the development of lymph node metastasis, and TNM staging (P < 0.05, respectively), besides, the expression of NF-kappaB also correlated with the tumor diameter (P < 0.05). Cyr61 expression was positively correlated with NF-kappaB expression in gastric carcinoma (P < 0.05); the mean survival time in cases with a high expression level of Cyr61 and NF-kappaB protein was significantly shorter than those with a low expression level (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Expression of Cyr61 and NF-kappaB closely correlated with invasion and metastasis of gastric carcinoma. They may be considered as the biologic behavior indicators for gastric carcinoma.</p>

Expression of CYR61 and VEGF in extranodal nasal-type NK/T cell lymphoma and their significances / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of CYR61 and VEGF in extranodal nasal-type NK/T cell lymphoma and its significance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CYR61 mRNA and VEGF mRNA were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR method in 20 cases of extranodal nasal-type NK/T cell lymphoma. Expressions of CYR61 and VEGF were studied by immunohistochemistry in 40 cases of the tumor.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Over-expression of CYR61 mRNA and VEGF mRNA was found in 19/20(95.0% ) and 15/20(75.0% ) cases, respectively. (2)Tumor cells expressing CYR61 protein and VEGF protein were detected in 38(95.0% ) and 25 (62. 5% ) of the 40 cases respectively, being no significant difference from the control. Co-expression of CYR61 and VEGF at both the mRNA and protein levels was 95.0% and 65.0% , respectively. Over-expression of CYR61 and VEGF at both mRNA and protein levels was found in 8 of the 40 cases. (3) The prognosis of the patients over-expressing CYR61 and VEGF was worse.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In extranodal nasal-type NK/T cell lymphoma, the expression level of CYR61 and VEGF was changed and it may be of prognostic implication of</p>

Characterization of Genes Related to the Cell Size Growth and CCN Family According to the Early Folliculogenesis in the Mouse / 대한불임학회지

OBJECTIVES: Previously, we sought to compile a list of genes expressed during early folliculogenesis by using cDNA microarray to investigate follicular gene expression and changes during primordialprimary follicle transition and development of secondary follicles (Yoon et al., 2005). Among those genes, a group of genes related to the cell size growth was characterized during the ovarian development in the present study. METHODS: We determined ovarian expression pattern of six genes related to the cell size growth (cyr61, emp1, fhl1, socs2, wig1 and wisp1) and extended into CCN family (connective tissue growth factor/cysteine-rich 61/nephroblastoma-overexpressed), ctgf, nov, wisp2, wisp3, including cyr61 and wisp1 genes. Expression of mRNA and protein according to the ovarian developmental stage was evaluated by in situ hybridization, and/or semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and immunohistochemistry, respectively. RESULTS: Among 6 genes related to the cell size growth, cyr61 and wisp1 mRNA was detected only in oocytes in the postnatal day5 mouse ovaries. cyr61 mRNA expression was limited to the nucleolus of oocytes, while wisp1 was expressed in the cytoplasm and nucleolus of oocytes, except nucleus. cyr61 mRNA expression, however, was found in granulosa cells from secondary follicles. The rest 4 genes in the cell size growth group were detected in oocytes, granulosa and theca cells. Cyr61 and Wisp1 proteins were expressed in the oocyte cytoplasm from primordial follicle stage. Especially, Cyr61 protein was detected in pre-granulosa cells, Wisp1 protein was not. By using RT-PCR, we evaluated and decided that Cyr61 protein is produced by their own mRNA in pre-granulosa cells that was not detected by in situ hybridization. cyr61 and wisp1 genes are happen to be the CCN family members. The other members of CCN family were also studied, but their expression was detected in oocytes, granulose and theca cells. CONCLUSIONS: We firstly characterized the ovarian expression of genes related to the cell size growth and CCN family according to the early folliculogenesis. Cyr61 protein expression in the pre-granulosa cells is profound in meaning. Further functional analysis for cyr61 in early folliculogenesis is under investigation.