NCTD Retards AML HL60 Cell Proliferation via Targeting Hedgehog/SOX2 axis / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of norcantharidin (NCTD) to proliferation of leukemia cells through disrupting key regulators of sonic Hedgehog (SHH) pathway and its downstream transcription factor SOX2.@*METHODS@#CCK8 was used to detected the HL60 and NB4 cells after inhibited by NCTD, SMO and GLI1 inhibitor for 24 hours. Expression level of SMO, GLI1 and SOX2 in HL60 cells with NCTD treatment was detected by immunoblot. HL60 cells were transfected with pcDNA3.1 plasmid expressing GLI1 or SOX2. Empty vector and pcDNA3. 1-EGFP were divided into negative and positive control group, respectively. The expression of exogenous GLI1 or SOX2 in HL60 cells was confirmed by immunoblot, and growth curve of HL60 cell was checked by CCK8. Proliferation of genetic modified HL60 cells treated by various dose of NCTD was detected.@*RESULTS@#NCTD, SMO/GLI1 inhibitors could inhibit the proliferation of NB4 and HL60 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with solvent (DMSO)-treated control group, NCTD remarkably decreased protein level of SMO, GLI1 and SOX2. GLI1 and SOX2 were overexpressed in HL60 cells as compared with pcDNA3.1 empty vector-transfected group. Growth curve demonstrated significant proliferative advantage of GLI1/SOX2-transfected cells. CCK8 assay indicated that GLI1/SOX2-overexpressed HL60 cells were more resistant to NCTD treatment.@*CONCLUSION@#NCTD attenuates HL60 proliferation via targeting the Hedgehog/SOX2 axis.

SOX2-dependent expression of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase regulates oral squamous cell carcinoma cell proliferation / 国际口腔科学杂志·英文版

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) become a heavy burden of public health, with approximately 300 000 newly diagnosed cases and 145 000 deaths worldwide per year. Nucleotide metabolism fuel DNA replication and RNA synthesis, which is indispensable for cell proliferation. But how tumor cells orchestrate nucleotide metabolic enzymes to support their rapid growth is largely unknown. Here we show that expression of pyrimidine metabolic enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) is upregulated in OSCC tissues, compared to non-cancerous adjacent tissues. Enhanced expression of DHODH is correlated with a shortened patient survival time. Inhibition of DHODH by either shRNA or selective inhibitors impairs proliferation of OSCC cells and growth of tumor xenograft. Further, loss of functional DHODH imped de novo pyrimidine synthesis, and disrupt mitochondrial respiration probably through destabilizing the MICOS complex. Mechanistic study shows that transcriptional factor SOX2 plays an important role in the upregulation of DHODH in OSCC. Our findings add to the knowledge of how cancer cells co-opt nucleotide metabolism to support their rapid growth, and thereby highlight DHODH as a potential prognostic and therapeutic target for OSCC treatment.

Association of the co-expression of SOX2 and Podoplanin in the progression of oral squamous cell carcinomas - an immunohistochemical study

Abstract SOX2 is a transcription factor related to the maintenance of stem cells in a pluripotent state. Podoplanin is a type of transmembrane sialoglycoprotein, which plays an important role in tumor progression and metastasis. This study aims to determine association of SOX2 and podoplanin expression in the progression of oral squamous cell carcinomas and to elucidate the association between two proteins. Methodology: The immunohistochemical expression of SOX2 and podoplanin were evaluated in 60 cases of primary oral squamous cell carcinomas. The correlation between the SOX2 and podoplanin expression and the clinicopathological features of the tumors and the patient outcomes were assessed. Results: The expression of SOX2 was seen in 38/60 (63%) of the cases and the expression for podoplanin was seen in 45/60 (75%) cases. There was a significant inverse correlation between the expression of SOX2 and podoplanin with the tumor grade (p=0.002 and p=0.017, respectively). There was a high expression of SOX2 in 9/13 cases that presented with disease free survival. Survival analysis showed that a high expression of SOX2 correlated positively (p=0.043) with the disease-free survival. There was a significant positive association between the pattern of SOX2 and podoplanin expression (p=0.002). Conclusion: A high expression of SOX2 was associated with better disease-free survival. The expression of podoplanin was associated with the degree of differentiation of the tumors. Analysis of these biomarkers can aid in the prognosis and treatment of oral squamous cell carcinomas.

Expression of nestin, transcription factor SOX3 and homeobox protein DLX-4 in the facial tissue of children with cleft lip and palate / Expresión de nestina, factor de transcripción SOX3 y proteína homeobox DLX-4 en el tejido facial de niños con fisura labiopalatina

The failure of fusion of nasal and maxillary processes results in cleft lip and palate (CLP), which is one of the most common birth defects. The morphopathogenesis of this pathology is multifactorial and still largely unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of nestin, transcriptor factor SOX3 (Sox3) and homeobox protein DLX-4 (Dlx-4) in complete unilateral (CU) and complete bilateral (CB) CLP affected facial tissue. Oral mucosa tissue samples were obtained from 17 CUCLP and 13 CBCLP patients during surgical cleft correction and 6 unaffected control subjects. Obtained tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and by immunohistochemistry for nestin, Sox3 and Dlx-4. The intensity of staining was graded semiquantitatively. Nestin-positive structures were detected in all CUCLP and CBCLP patients' tissue samples, varying from moderate number of nestin-positive structures to numerous. Sox3 immunoreactivity was more prominent in epithelial cells in both patient groups with frequently patchy distribution. Mainly moderate number of Dlx-4-positive cells was observed in most of tissue samples. Statistically significant moderate positive correlation was found between nestin and Sox3 factors in CUCLP patient group (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient = .517, P = .034). Increase of nestinpositive structures suggests its role in the regulation of the remodeling of tissue in both CUCLP and CBCLP affected tissue. Dominance of Sox3 positivity in cleft affected epithelium indicates its possible role in (compensatory) formation of defective oral epithelium of CUCLP and CBCLP patients. The reduced expression of Dlx-4 implicates its limited regulatory role on the craniofacial development in CUCLP and CBCLP affected tissue.

La falla en la fusión de los procesos nasal y maxilar son causante de la fisura labiopalatina (FLP), que es uno de los defectos congénitos más comunes. La morfopatogenia de esta patología es multifactorial y aún poco clara. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la presencia de nestina, el factor transcriptor SOX3 (Sox3) y la proteína homeobox DLX-4 (Dlx-4) en todo el tejido facial afectado por FLP bilateral unilateral (FU) y bilateral completa (FB). Se obtuvieron muestras de tejido de mucosa oral de 17 pacientes FUFLP y 13 FBFLP durante la corrección quirúrgica de la fisura y de 6 sujetos de control no afectados. Las secciones de tejido obtenidas se tiñeron con hematoxilina y eosina y mediante inmunohistoquímica para nestina, Sox3 y Dlx-4. La intensidad de la tinción fue graduada semicuantitativamente. Se detectaron estructuras positivas para nestina en todas las muestras de tejido de pacientes FUFLP y FBFLP, variando desde un número moderado a numerosas estructuras positivas para nestina. La inmunorreactividad de Sox3 fue más prominente en las células epiteliales en ambos grupos de pacientes con distribución frecuentemente irregular. Se observó un número principalmente moderado de células Dlx-4-positivas en la mayoría de las muestras de tejido. Se encontró una correlación positiva moderada estadísticamente significativa entre los factores de nestina y Sox3 en el grupo de pacientes FUFLP (coeficiente de correlación de rangos de Spearman = 0,517, P = 0,034). El aumento de estructuras positivas para nestina sugiere su papel en la regulación de la remodelación de tejido, tanto en tejido afectado por FUFLP como FBFLP. La dominancia de la positividad de Sox3 en el epitelio afectado de la fisura, indica su posible papel en la formación (compensatoria) del epitelio oral defectuoso de pacientes FUFLP y FBFLP. La expresión reducida de Dlx-4 implica su función reguladora limitada en el desarrollo craneofacial en tejido afectado por FUFLP y FBFLP.

Correlation of Cancer Stem-Cell Markers OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG with Clinicopathological Features and Prognosis in Operative Patients with Rectal Cancer

PURPOSE: To investigate the association of cancer stem-cell markers [octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4), sex determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2), and Nanog homebox (NANOG)] expression with clinicopathological properties and overall survival (OS) in operative rectal cancer (RC) patients receiving adjuvant therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 153 patients with primary RC receiving surgery were enrolled. Tumor tissue and paired adjacent normal tissue sample were collected, and OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG expressions were assessed by immunofluorescent staining. The median follow-up duration was 5.2 years, and the last follow-up date was August 2016. RESULTS: Tumor tissue OCT4 (p < 0.001), SOX2 (p=0.003), and NANOG (p < 0.001) expressions were higher than those in adjacent tissue. OCT4 expression was positively correlated with pathological grade (R=0.185, p=0.022), tumor size (R=0.224, p=0.005), and N stage (R=0.170, p=0.036). NANOG expression was positively associated with tumor size (R=0.169, p=0.036). Kaplan-Meier suggested that OCT4+ was associated with worse OS compared with OCT4− (p < 0.001), while no association of SOX2 (p=0.121) and NANOG expressions (p=0.195) with OS was uncovered. Compared with one or no positive marker, at least two positive markers were associated with shorter OS (p < 0.001), while all three positive markers were correlated with worse OS compared with two or less positive markers (p < 0.001). Multivariate Cox's analysis revealed that OCT4+ (p < 0.001) and N stage (p=0.046) were independent factors for shorter OS. CONCLUSION: Tumor tissue OCT4 expression was correlated with poor differentiation, tumor size, and N stage, and it can serve as an independent prognostic biomarker in operative patients with RC receiving adjuvant therapy.

Di-[2-ethylhexyl] phthalate-induced hippocampus-derived neural stem cells proliferation

The brain and spinal cord have a limited capacity for self-repair under damaged conditions. One of the best options to overcome these limitations involves the use of phytochemicals as potential therapeutic agents. In this study, we have aimed to investigate the effects of di-[2-ethylhexyl] phthalate [DEHP] on hippocampus-derived neural stem cells [NSCs] proliferation to search phytochemical candidates for possible treatment of neurological diseases using endogenous capacity. In this experimental study, neonatal rat hippocampus-derived NSCs were cultured and treated with various concentrations of DEHP [0, 100, 200, 400 and 600 micro M] and Cirsium vulgare [C. vulgare] hydroethanolic extract [0, 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 micro g/ml] for 48 hours under in vitro conditions. Cell proliferation rates and quantitative Sox2 gene expression were evaluated using MTT assay and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR]. We observed the highest average growth rate in the 400 micro M DEHP and 800 micro g/ml C. vulgare extract treated groups. Sox2 expression in the DEHP-treated NSCs significantly increased compared to the control group. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry [GC/ MS] results demonstrated that the active ingredients that naturally occurred in the C. vulgare hydroethanolic extract were 2-ethyl-1-hexanamine, n-heptacosane, 1-cyclopentanecarboxylic acid, 1-heptadecanamine, 2,6-octadien-1-ol,2,6,10,14,18,22-tetracosahexaene, and DEHP. DEHP profoundly stimulated NSCs proliferation through Sox2 gene overexpression. These results provide and opportunity for further use of the C. vulgure phytochemicals for prevention and/or treatment of neurological diseases via phytochemical mediated-proliferation of endogenous adult NSCs

Clinical and genetic features of 45,X maleness: A case report and review of the literature / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To explore the relationship between the clinical and genetic features of a short-statured azoospermia male with the karyotype of 45,X.@*METHODS@#Using GTG-banded chromosome analysis, we performed karyotyping for a 150 cm-high infertile male with azoospermia and investigated the presence and location of the genes on the Y chromosome by FISH and PCR.@*RESULTS@#GTG-banded chromosome analysis showed the karyotype of the patient to be 45,X,add(14)(p11). The results of PCR manifested the deletion of AZFa, AZFb, AZFc, and AZFd in the SRY gene. FISH revealed the translocation of the short arm of the Y chromosome to that of chromosome 14 and deletion of most proportions of its long arm, with the disruption site close to the centromere region. The karyotype of the patient was 45,X,der(Y)t(Y;14)(q11;q11.2), 14.ish (SRY+, CEP Y+ , DYZ1－).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The karyotype of the patient was unbalanced Y/14 translocation. The SRY gene is the key to maleness. The deletion of AZFa－ d induces spermatogenic disturbance, and the deletion of the q arm of the Y chromosome may be related with short stature.

Recapitulating cortical development with organoid culture in vitro and modeling abnormal spindle-like (ASPM related primary) microcephaly disease

The development of a cerebral organoid culture in vitro offers an opportunity to generate human brain-like organs to investigate mechanisms of human disease that are specific to the neurogenesis of radial glial (RG) and outer radial glial (oRG) cells in the ventricular zone (VZ) and subventricular zone (SVZ) of the developing neocortex. Modeling neuronal progenitors and the organization that produces mature subcortical neuron subtypes during early stages of development is essential for studying human brain developmental diseases. Several previous efforts have shown to grow neural organoid in culture dishes successfully, however we demonstrate a new paradigm that recapitulates neocortical development process with VZ, OSVZ formation and the lamination organization of cortical layer structure. In addition, using patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with dysfunction of the Aspm gene from a primary microcephaly patient, we demonstrate neurogenesis defects result in defective neuronal activity in patient organoids, suggesting a new strategy to study human developmental diseases in central nerve system.

Isolation of breast cancer stem cell from MDA-MB231 cell line using vincristine / Aislamiento de células madre de cáncer de mama de la línea celular MDA-MB231 utilizando vincristina

Cancer has been considered as a stem cell disease. Suspension culture combined with anti-cancer drugs has recently been proposed for isolation of cancer stem cells (CSCs). In the current study, Vincristine as an anti-cancer drug combined with suspension culture was used for isolation and purification of CSCs from human breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB231). The cells were treated with different concentrations of vincristine (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 ng/ml). Stem cells were identified with the expression of OCT4, nanog, SOX2 and nucleostemin genes by RT-PCR. Mammosphere forming unit was measured upon suspension culture containing EGF, bFGF, LIF, B27, insulin and BSA. The isolated mammospheres were investigated for CD44 expression. Results showed that 4 ng/ml of vincristine for 72 hours could be utilized as the best and most reliable dose which eliminates around 80 % of non-cancer stem cells with no destructive effect on CSCs' viability (P> 0.05). RT-PCR demonstrated that drug treated cells expressed OCT4, nanog, SOX2 and nucleostemin. Mammosphere formation unit of cells pretreated with vincristine was significantly higher than unpretreated ones (P>0.05). Immunofluorescence staining for CD44 depicted high expression of CSC marker among the isolated mammospheres. Vincristine combined with suspension culture can be considered as an appropriate method to isolate CSC.

El cáncer ha sido considerado como una enfermedad de células madre. Recientemente se ha propuesto cultivo en suspensión en combinación con medicamentos contra el cáncer para aislamiento de las células madre del cáncer (CMC). En este estudio se utilizó la vincristina como fármaco anticanceroso combinado con cultivo en suspensión para el aislamiento y purificación de las células madre cancerosas, de la línea celular de cáncer de mama humano (MDA-MB231). Las células se trataron con diferentes concentraciones de vincristina (0, 2, 4, 6 y 8 ng/ml). Las células madre se identificaron mediante la expresión de los genes OCT4, Nanog, SOX2 y nucleostemin por RT-PCR. La unidad de formación mammosphere se midió a través de cultivo en suspensión que contenía EGF, bFGF, LIF, B27, insulina y BSA. Los mammospheres aislados fueron estudiados para la expresión de CD44. Los resultados mostraron que 4 ng/ml de vincristina durante 72 horas podrían ser utilizados como la mejor y más fiable dosis que permite eliminar alrededor del 80 % de las células madre no cancerosas, sin causar un efecto destructivo sobre la viabilidad de las CMC (P> 0,05). La RT-PCR mostró que en las células tratadas con él fármaco hubo expresión de los genes OCT4, Nanog, SOX2 y nucleostemin. La unidad de formación de las células pretratadas con vincristina fue significativamente más alta que las unidades sin tratamiento previo (P>0,05). La inmunofluorescencia para CD44 muestró una alta expresión del marcador de CMC entre mammospheres aisladas. La vincristina en combinación con el cultivo en suspensión puede ser considerado como un método apropiado para aislar CMC.

Immunohistochemical analysis of retinoblastoma cell phenotype using neuronal and glial cell markers / Análise imuno-histoquímica do fenótipo de células de retinoblastoma utilizando marcadores de células neuronais e gliais

ABSTRACT Purpose: The cellular origin of retinoblastoma is uncertain as constituent tumor cells heterogeneously express markers of both immature and mature retinal cells. An immunohistochemical analysis of cellular origin may yield valuable insights into disease progression and treatment options. This study aimed to determine the cellular origin of retinoblastoma in a large case series and correlate these findings with histopathological prognostic factors. Methods: Thirty-nine retinoblastoma cases were histopathologically diagnosed and analyzed by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies against the immature neural cell marker SRY-box containing gene 2 (SOX-2), the mature neuronal cell marker microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2), and the mature glial cell marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Histopathological features were also evaluated, including patterns of growth, differentiation, vitreous seeding, and choroidal/scleral, optic nerve, and anterior chamber invasion. Two retinoblastoma cell lines, WERI-1 and Y79, were studied by immunocytochemistry using the same antibodies. Results: Expression of SOX-2 was strong in 97.4% of retinoblastoma cases, while MAP-2 was expressed in 59% of cases. Immunostaining for GFAP was positive only in reactive stromal astrocytes interspersed amongst tumor cells and in peritumoral tissue. There was no correlation between histopathological prognostic factors and immunohistochemical markers. Retinoblastoma cell lines showed strong positivity for SOX2 (90% of WERI-1 cells and 70% of Y79 cells) and MAP2 (90% of cells in both lines). GFAP was completely negative in both cell lines. Conclusion: The majority of retinoblastomas and both RB cell lines expressed an immature neural and/or a mature neuronal cell marker, but not a glial marker. These results indicate a typical neuroblast or neuronal origin and eliminate astrocyte differentiation from neural stem cells as the source of retinoblastoma.

RESUMO Objetivos: Este estudo visa determinar a origem do retinoblastoma em um número de casos e correlacionar essos achados com fatores prognósticos e histopatológicos conhecidos. Métodos: Trinta e nove casos de retinoblastoma foram diagnosticados e analisados com imuno-histoquímica usando marcadores de anticorpos monoclonais contra as células de retina imaturas (SOX-2: SRY-box containing gene 2), contra as células da retina maturas (MAP2: microtubule -associated protein 2) e contra as células gliais maturas (GFAP: glial fibrillar acidic protein). Foram avaliadas características microscópicas dos casos (grau de diferenciação, presença de semeadura vítrea, invasão de coroide/esclera, nervo óptico e câmara anterior). Duas linhas celulares de retinoblastoma (WERI-1 e Y79) também foram testadas, utilizando os três marcadores. Resultados: A expressão de SOX-2 foi positiva em 97,4% dos casos de retinoblastoma, enquanto MAP2 foi positivo em 59% dos casos. GFAP foi apenas positivo no estroma (astrócitos reativos). Não houve correlação entre preditores histopatológicos e marcadores imunohistoquímicos avaliados. As linhagens celulares mostraram positividade para SOX-2 (90% em WERI-1 e 70% das células Y79). Ambas as linhagens celulares se mostraram fortemente positivas con MAP2 (90%), enquanto não houve expressão de GFAP em nenhuma das linhas celulares estudadas. Conclusões: A maioria das células de retinoblastoma desta série de casos expressa marcadores de células retinianas imaturas, além de marcadores de células maduras. As linhas celulares Y79 e WERI-1 apresentaram imunomarcação para ambos os marcadores neurais em percentagens semelhantes a dos casos avaliados. Portanto, estes resultados confirmam a origem neural do tumor em particular. Alem disso, a ausência de células positivas para GFAP no tumor descarta diferenciação de astrócitos em retinoblastoma.

Prognostic value of Sox2 expression in digestive tract cancers: A meta-analysis / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The aim of the present study was to accurately evaluate the association of Sox2 expression with the survival of patients with digestive tract cancers. Relevant literatures were identified by comprehensively searching databases including the Pubmed, Embase, CBMdisc, and Wanfang (up to October 2014). A meta-analysis was performed to clarify the association between Sox2 expression and overall survival or clinicopathological parameters of patients with digestive tract cancers (esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancers). The results showed a significant association between high Sox2 expression and poor overall survival in patients with digestive tract carcinomas (HR=1.55, 95% CI=1.04-2.31), especially for patients with esophageal cancer (HR=2.04, 95%CI=1.30-3.22), colorectal cancer (HR=1.40, 95% CI=1.04-1.89), and digestive tract adenocarcinoma (HR=1.80, 95% CI=1.12-2.89), for Europeans (HR=1.98, 95% CI=1.44-2.71) or patients who did not receive neoadjuvant treatment (HR=1.73, 95% CI=1.10-2.72). Furthermore, Sox2 over-expression was highly correlated with vascular invasion (OR=1.86, 95% CI=1.25-2.77) and poor differentiation (OR=1.88, 95% CI=1.14-3.08), especially in esophageal and colorectal cancers. In conclusion, Sox2 expression may serve as a novel prognostic factor for patients with digestive tract cancers. Over-expression of Sox2 that is correlated with vascular invasion and poor differentiation suggests poor outcomes of patients with digestive tract cancers.

Elimination of the geomagnetic field stimulates the proliferation of mouse neural progenitor and stem cells

Living organisms are exposed to the geomagnetic field (GMF) throughout their lifespan. Elimination of the GMF, resulting in a hypogeomagnetic field (HMF), leads to central nervous system dysfunction and abnormal development in animals. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying these effects have not been identified so far. Here, we show that exposure to an HMF (<200 nT), produced by a magnetic field shielding chamber, promotes the proliferation of neural progenitor/stem cells (NPCs/NSCs) from C57BL/6 mice. Following seven-day HMF-exposure, the primary neurospheres (NSs) were significantly larger in size, and twice more NPCs/NSCs were harvested from neonatal NSs, when compared to the GMF controls. The self-renewal capacity and multipotency of the NSs were maintained, as HMF-exposed NSs were positive for NSC markers (Nestin and Sox2), and could differentiate into neurons and astrocyte/glial cells and be passaged continuously. In addition, adult mice exposed to the HMF for one month were observed to have a greater number of proliferative cells in the subventricular zone. These findings indicate that continuous HMF-exposure increases the proliferation of NPCs/NSCs, in vitro and in vivo. HMF-disturbed NPCs/NSCs production probably affects brain development and function, which provides a novel clue for elucidating the cellular mechanisms of the bio-HMF response.

Role of circadian gene Clock during differentiation of mouse pluripotent stem cells

Biological rhythms controlled by the circadian clock are absent in embryonic stem cells (ESCs). However, they start to develop during the differentiation of pluripotent ESCs to downstream cells. Conversely, biological rhythms in adult somatic cells disappear when they are reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). These studies indicated that the development of biological rhythms in ESCs might be closely associated with the maintenance and differentiation of ESCs. The core circadian gene Clock is essential for regulation of biological rhythms. Its role in the development of biological rhythms of ESCs is totally unknown. Here, we used CRISPR/CAS9-mediated genetic editing techniques, to completely knock out the Clock expression in mouse ESCs. By AP, teratoma formation, quantitative real-time PCR and Immunofluorescent staining, we did not find any difference between Clock knockout mESCs and wild type mESCs in morphology and pluripotent capability under the pluripotent state. In brief, these data indicated Clock did not influence the maintaining of pluripotent state. However, they exhibited decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis. Furthermore, the biological rhythms failed to develop in Clock knockout mESCs after spontaneous differentiation, which indicated that there was no compensational factor in most peripheral tissues as described in mice models before (DeBruyne et al., 2007b). After spontaneous differentiation, loss of CLOCK protein due to Clock gene silencing induced spontaneous differentiation of mESCs, indicating an exit from the pluripotent state, or its differentiating ability. Our findings indicate that the core circadian gene Clock may be essential during normal mESCs differentiation by regulating mESCs proliferation, apoptosis and activity.

Dual-Blocking of PI3K and mTOR Improves Chemotherapeutic Effects on SW620 Human Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells by Inducing Differentiation

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have tumor initiation, self-renewal, metastasis and chemo-resistance properties in various tumors including colorectal cancer. Targeting of CSCs may be essential to prevent relapse of tumors after chemotherapy. Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signals are central regulators of cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. These pathways are related to colorectal tumorigenesis. This study focused on PI3K and mTOR pathways by inhibition which initiate differentiation of SW620 derived CSCs and investigated its effect on tumor progression. By using rapamycin, LY294002, and NVP-BEZ235, respectively, PI3K and mTOR signals were blocked independently or dually in colorectal CSCs. Colorectal CSCs gained their differentiation property and lost their stemness properties most significantly in dual-blocked CSCs. After treated with anti-cancer drug (paclitaxel) on the differentiated CSCs cell viability, self-renewal ability and differentiation status were analyzed. As a result dual-blocking group has most enhanced sensitivity for anti-cancer drug. Xenograft tumorigenesis assay by using immunodeficiency mice also shows that dual-inhibited group more effectively increased drug sensitivity and suppressed tumor growth compared to single-inhibited groups. Therefore it could have potent anti-cancer effects that dual-blocking of PI3K and mTOR induces differentiation and improves chemotherapeutic effects on SW620 human colorectal CSCs.

Sex-determining region of Y chromosome-related high-mobility-group box 2 in malignant tumors: current opinions and anticancer therapy / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To gain insight into the mechanism by which sex-determining region of Y chromosome (SRY)-related high-mobility-group box 2 (SOX2) involved in carcinogenesis and cancer stem cells (CSCs).</p><p><b>DATA SOURCES</b>The data used in this review were mainly published in English from 2000 to present obtained from PubMed. The search terms were "SOX2," "cancer," "tumor" or "CSCs."</p><p><b>STUDY SELECTION</b>Articles studying the mitochondria-related pathologic mechanism and treatment of glaucoma were selected and reviewed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>SOX2, a transcription factor that is the key in maintaining pluripotent properties of stem cells, is a member of SRY-related high-mobility group domain proteins. SOX2 participates in many biological processes, such as modulation of cell proliferation, regulation of cell death signaling, cell apoptosis, and most importantly, tumor formation and development. Although SOX2 has been implicated in the biology of various tumors and CSCs, the findings are highly controversial, and information regarding the underlying mechanism remains limited. Moreover, the mechanism by which SOX2 involved in carcinogenesis and tumor progression is rather unclear yet.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Here, we review the important biological functions of SOX2 in different tumors and CSCs, and the function of SOX2 signaling in the pathobiology of neoplasia, such as Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, Hippo signaling pathway, Survivin signaling pathway, PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, and so on. Targeting towards SOX2 may be an effective therapeutic strategy for cancer therapy.</p>

Sox2 function as a negative regulator to control HAMP expression

BACKGROUND: Hepcidin, encoding by HAMP gene, is the pivotal regulator of iron metabolism, controlling the systemic absorption and transportation of irons from intracellular stores. Abnormal levels of HAMP expression alter plasma iron parameters and lead to iron metabolism disorders. Therefore,itis animportant goal to understand the mechanisms controlling HAMP gene expression. RESULTS: Overexpression of Sox2 decrease basal expression of HAMP or induced by IL-6 or BMP-2, whereas, knockdown of Sox2 can increase HAMP expression, furthermore, two potential Sox2-binding sites were identified within the human HAMP promoter. Indeed, luciferase experiments demonstrated that deletion of any Sox2-binding site impaired the negative regulation of Sox2 on HAMP promoter transcriptional activity in basal conditions. ChIP experiments showed that Sox2 could directly bind to these sites. Finally, we verified the role of Sox2 to negatively regulate HAMP expression in human primary hepatocytes. CONCLUSION: We found that Sox2 as a novel factor to bind with HAMP promoter to negatively regulate HAMP expression, which may be further implicated as a therapeutic option for the amelioration of HAMP-overexpression-related diseases, including iron deficiency anemia.

Expression of SOX2 in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer and its clinical significance / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of SOX2 in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer and explore its association with the clinical features.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SOX2 expressions were examined using immunohistochemical method in 10 normal cervical tissue specimens, 36 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia specimens (including 10 cases of grade I, 12 of grade II, and 14 grade III) and 40 cervical cancer specimens (including 21 cases of stage I and 19 of stage II). The correlation between the immunohistochemical results and the clinical features of the patients was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>SOX2 expression was negative in normal cervical tissues, and was positive in 41.6% of CIN specimens (10.0% in CIN I, 41.7% in CIN II, and 64.3% in CIN III) in 82.5% of cervical cancer specimens (78.2% in stage I and 88.2% in stage II). The patients with cervical cancer had a significantly higher positivity rate of SOX2 than normal control group (P<0.05). The positivity rate of SOX2 increased with the evolution of cervical disease. SOX2 protein expression was significantly correlated with the histological grade and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05), but not with the age or clinical stage of the patients (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SOX2 expression may serve as a useful indicator for evaluating metastasis and malignancy of cervical cancer.</p>

Enhanced proliferation and differentiation of Oct4- and Sox2-overexpressing human adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are attractive candidates for clinical repair or regeneration of damaged tissues. Oct4 and Sox2, which are essential transcription factors for pluripotency and self-renewal, are naturally expressed in MSCs at low levels in early passages, and their levels gradually decrease as the passage number increases. Therefore, to improve MSC proliferation and stemness, we introduced human Oct4 and Sox2 for conferring higher expansion and differentiation capabilities. The Oct4-IRES-Sox2 vector was transfected into human adipose tissue MSCs (ATMSCs) by liposomal transfection and used directly. Oct4 and Sox2 were successfully transfected into ATMSCs, and we confirmed maintenance of MSC surface markers without alterations in both red fluorescent protein (RFP) (control) and Oct4/Sox2-ATMSCs. Enhanced proliferative activity of Oct4/Sox2-ATMSCs was shown by WST-1 assay, and this result was further confirmed by cell counting using trypan blue exclusion for a long period. In addition, FACs cell cycle analysis showed that there was a reduction in the fraction of Oct4/Sox2-ATMSCs in G1 with a concomitant increase in the fraction of cells in S, compared with RFP-ATMSCs. Increased levels of cyclin D1 were also seen in Oct4/Sox2-ATMSCs, indicating acceleration in the transition of cells from G1 to S phase. Furthermore, Oct4/Sox2-overexpressing ATMSCs showed higher differentiation abilities for adipocytes or osteoblasts than controls. The markers of adipogenic or osteogenic differentiation were also upregulated by Oct4/Sox2 overexpression. The improvement in cell proliferation and differentiation using Oct4/Sox2 expression in ATMSCs may be a useful method for expanding the population and increasing the stemness of ATMSCs.

Transient folate deprivation in combination with small-molecule compounds facilitates the generation of somatic cell-derived pluripotent stem cells in mice / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be propagated indefinitely, while maintaining the capacity to differentiate into all cell types in the body except for the extra-embryonic tissues. This iPSC technology not only represents a new way to use individual-specific stem cells for regenerative medicine but also constitutes a novel method to obtain large numbers of disease-specific cells for biomedical research. However, the low efficiency of reprogramming and genomic integration of oncogenes and viral vectors limit the potential application of iPSCs. Chemical-induced reprogramming offers a novel approach to generating iPSCs. In this study, a new combination of small-molecule compounds (SMs) (sodium butyrate, A-83-01, CHIR99021, Y-27632) under conditions of transient folate deprivation was used to generate iPSC. It was found that transient folate deprivation combined with SMs was sufficient to permit reprogramming from mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) in the presence of transcription factors, Oct4 and Klf4, within 25 days, replacing Sox2 and c-Myc, and accelerated the generation of mouse iPSCs. The resulting cell lines resembled mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells with respect to proliferation rate, morphology, pluripotency-associated markers and gene expressions. Deprivation of folic acid, combined with treating MEFs with SMs, can improve the inducing efficiency of iPSCs and reduce their carcinogenicity and the use of exogenous reprogramming factors.

Preliminary screening of downstream proteins of Sox2 and role of Sox2 in colonic cancer cell migration and invasion / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To screen the down-stream proteins of transcription factor Sox2 and explore the role of Sox2 in the proliferation and migration of colonic cancer cells in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The cellular proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and stained with Coomassie blue and amine plated silver. The differentially expressed proteins was identified by mass spectrometry and verified by QPCR and Western blotting. A cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay was performed to evaluate the cell proliferation, and the cell migration was assessed using Transwell assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>S3a was identified by proteomics technology as a Sox2-downregulated protein while ENO1 and gama-actin the up-regulated proteins. QPCR and Western blotting analyses showed that overexpression of Sox2 significantly decreased the expression of S3a (P<0.005) and increased the expression of ENO1(P<0.05), but had no significant effect on gama-actin expression. Sox2 overexpression obviously promoted cell proliferation and migration (P<0.05), while inhibition of Sox2 produced contrary effects (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Sox2 negatively regulates S3a expression and positively regulates ENO1 expression to promot the proliferation and migration of colonic cancer cells.</p>